ICOYC News

Kieler Woche to be World Cup Regatta from 2023

From 2023, Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) will be included in the group of four top international events that make up the World Cup in Olympic sailing. This grouping allows regatta organizers and World Sailing to coordinate dates, general conditions and training opportunities to make it easier for the world’s best athletes to participate in the entire series. Following Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Hyères, France, in April, Medemblik in the Netherlands will be included in the World Cup at the beginning of June. Kiel Week will run from June 17–25, 2023, with the Olympic classes in the first part forming the decisive finale.

A crowded ILCA7 field, even among the world’s best, awaits Kiel Week in the pre-Olympic year.  Photo: Christian Beeck/Kieler Woche

 

“The aim of the cooperation is to increase the attractiveness of Olympic sailing both for the national teams of our member federations and for sports fans worldwide,” explains Alastair Fox as event director of World Sailing. “All four events offer a rich tradition as an ideal foundation for World Sailing Championships and Olympic Games.” The collaboration should also minimize travel between venues and reduce travel costs, according to Fox, who also envisions joint media promotion.

The decision also gives Kiel Week organizers, led by Kieler Yacht Club, and ICOYC Member Clubs Norddeutscher Regatta Verein in Hamburg and Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee in Berlin an additional boost. “The World Cup status was our ambition and motivates the entire team to further improve the high standards Kiel has set in hosting the event,” says organization manager Dirk Ramhorst. Thanks to the support of the sponsors and partners, Kieler Woche TV, a trailer driving service, regatta weather forecast, and much more will be offered. Sponsors and partners include automaker Audi, supermarket chain REWE and Düsseldorf international boat show “boot.” The attractive supporting program with the event mile on the apron of the Olympic harbor Kiel-Schilksee is unparalleled internationally.

The battle for the yellow jersey of the 49er leaders is likely to become even more exciting at Kiel Week 2023, when the overall victory in the World Cup will also be at stake.  Photo: Sascha Klahn/Kieler Woche

 

In sporting terms, the return of the Olympic boat classes to the first half of Kiel Week with the medal races on Wednesday will set the scene, allowing the crews and soloists to train unhindered on the waterfront the days before the first start and to prepare themselves optimally. This is in line with the wishes of the world’s best. In 2023, all ten disciplines, including kiteboarding, are to be announced at Kiel Week. Quite a few nations are likely to use Kiel as part of their Olympic qualifications.

The Princess Sofía Regatta off Mallorca (April 1 to 8) will kick off the next World Cup. This will be followed by the Semaine Olympique Française (April 22 to 29). From there, it’s on to the Allianz Regatta, which takes place in the Netherlands (May 31 to June 4). Kiel will then be the destination for the world’s sailing elite. The dates for the 2024 Olympic year have also already been set. Next year, the World Cup calendar for the next Olympics starting in 2025 will be determined.

The Kiel Week promises to offer a top sporting level in the pre-Olympic year 2023 as a World Cup regatta. At the same time, the organizers Kieler Yacht-Club (KYC), Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) and Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee (VSaW) are fighting against inflation for the 4,000 expected participants from near and far, and will reduce this year’s registration fees for early bookers by up to 20 percent. In addition, the Kiel Week will further champion sustainability and determines the CO2 footprint of the sailing competitions. On a wave against the social climate change the Kiel Week wants to bring humans jointly into ONE boat.

Handover of the Kiel Week 2023 poster during the Kiel-Treff at boot Düsseldorf – from left to right: Sven Christensen (Managing Director Point of Sailing Marketing GmbH), Hans-Werner Tovar (President of the City of Kiel), Dirk Ramhorst (Head of Organization Kieler Woche Regatta), Wolfram N. Diener (Chairman of the Board of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH), Nina Neumann (Brand Communications & Events AUDI AG), Dr. Daniel Rothoeft (Deputy Chairman of the Board Sebapharma GmbH & Co. KG), Martin Hager (Yacht Editor-in-Chief), Andreas Kling (Spokesman Kiel Week Regatta) Photo: www.segel-bilder.de

 

“Of course, the enormous price increases in many areas do not leave Kiel Week unscathed,” said Dirk Ramhorst, “but we do not want to pass them on one-to-one to our most important asset, the participants. On the contrary. With this year’s reduction of the entry fee, which applies to all competitions, the regatta should remain attractive and affordable for everyone.” For example, the Olympic Nacra 17 teams now pay only 240 EUR (instead of 300), while the international Contenders pay 135 EUR (previously 170). According to the motto “coming early ensures the best places,” however, the discount is only valid until the end of April and is also intended to facilitate organizational planning.

Ramhorst and his Principal Race Officer Fabian Bach (triangular courses) and Eckart Reinke (sea courses) presented the official Notice of Race for the first time at the “Kiel-Treff” meeting. They expect more than 1500 boats from about 50 nations from kitefoilers to offshore yachts. These will sail on nine race courses for victory at Kiel-Week. After the “Aalregatta” (eel regatta) with 100 and more offshore yachts at the start to Eckernförde, this time all ten Olympic disciplines will start in the first part in Schilksee and Stein (Formula Kite). For them, it is also about the decisive points at the final event of the Sailing World Cup 2023, which celebrates its climax on Wednesday with the medal races. In addition, 11 international boat classes and the races of the offshore yachts for the Kiel Cup, the “Silbernes Band” (silver ribbon) and the “Senatspreis” (senate cup) are part of the program.

PART 1 –  PART 2 –  Offshore – 
June 17-21, 2023 June 22-25, 2023 June 17-24, 2023
Olympic Classes: 29er (Euro-Cup) Aalregatta June 17-18, 2023
ILCA 7 505 Kiel-Cup  June 19-21, 2023
ILCA 6 Contender Senatspreis June 22-23, 2023
49er Europe Silbernes Band June 23-24, 2023
49erFX Flying Dutchman
470 ILCA 4
Nacra 17 ILCA 6 (open)
Formula Kite (M/W)  Musto Skiff
IQFOil (M/W) J/24
International classes: J/70 (Int. German Championship)
2.4mR
420
OK-Dinghy