A regular at offshore regattas off Kiel: the X-Day of skipper Lars Hückstädt (Plöner Segler-Verein) and owner Walter Watermann (Yacht Club Gode Wind). The Fast 40+ was christened at the Maior in Kiel in 2022 and has now been entered for the World Championships in Division A. Photo: www.segel-bilder.de

Reigning World and European Champions, former World Champions and runners-up will meet newcomers and strong partners from the business community at the ORC World Championship in Kiel, Germany on August 4–12, 2023.

There are currently entrants from 12 nations registered to compete in the ORC World Championship being held in August off the city of Kiel, Germany. Just one month after registration opened, 70 yachts had already registered in the three divisions – Classes A, B and C – as well as a non-World Championship Class D – and every day one can follow the growing number of participants on manage2sail.com.

Entries include the reigning World Champion, Essentia 44 (Marcin Sutkowiski, Grand Soleil 44P, World Champion 2021 and 2022 in Class B) from Romania, the reigning European Champion Michael Berghorn with his Halbtrocken 4.5 (KYC, Mills 45, Class A), and Matilda 4 (Juss Ojala, J-112E, 2021 World Champion in Class C and 6^th in the 2022 World Championship off Porto Cervo) from Estonia. Also entered are the Immac Fram (Kai Mares, KYC, Italia 9.98, 2^nd place in Class C in 2018, and the German Champion in 2019), and numerous other national champions.

The X-35 Sydbank (Torsten Bastiansen/Flensborg Yacht Club) has entered in Division C. “You can’t miss a World Cup on your doorstep,” says Bastiansen of X-Yachts. Photo: www.segel-bilder.de / Kieler Woche

And there is yet another highlight: after three years, Tutima will again compete in the ORC World’s in Kiel. The all-female crew organized by skipper Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz from Mühlenberger Segel-Club (MSC) in Hamburg, was an integral part of the offshore scene for over eleven years (2009 to 2020) and after a three-year absence they now return to the regatta course. Their numerous successes displayed a unique commitment and shook up the mindset of the male-dominated offshore sailing scene.

Tutima dominated the headlines from many daily newspapers, outdoor and water sports magazines, as well as Internet portals: “Pretty in Pink,” “Success is Pink,” and “Sailing is Pink” are just a sample of the media attention this team received more than a decade ago – alluding to the color of the crew’s team gear.

With a reunion of the team on their DK 46 for the ORC World Championship in 2023, the sailing world will be a little pinker again, at least for nine days. “The response to our idea has been extremely positive. The internationally experienced girls’ crew organized by Tutima skipper Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz is highly motivated, and everyone is looking forward to seeing them again on the regatta course.”

The World Championship is also taking shape early on in the sponsorship sector. “We are already very pleased that the partners have committed to us so early. This makes planning easier for the organizer,” said Sven Christensen, managing director of KYC marketing agency Point of Sailing. Companies like North Sails, X-Yachts and Sydbank from Denmark as well as clothing manufacturer Gaastra from Holland are among the commercial partners of the regatta.

With strong partners, big names in the entry list and great interest among active sailors – the ORC World Championship in Kiel is preparing to move into big dimensions.

Preliminary schedule of the ORC World Championship, August 4-12, 2023:

• Friday, August 4, to Saturday, August 5: Registration & Measurement
• Sunday, August 6: Practice Race & Opening Ceremony
• Monday, August 7 to Friday, August 11: Races
• Saturday, August 12: Final Races & Prize Giving Ceremony

For more information please visit the event website – www.orcworlds2023.com