Free, outdoors and for everyone - this is how the Kieler Woche organizers, visitors and participants wish their sailing bliss week in the north, on the water and on land. So that these wishes also have a chance, the Kiel Week has now been postponed to early autumn, as in the first year of the corona pandemic. The 127th edition of the world's largest regatta week is to take place for the second time in a row, not on the traditional date in June, but from September 4 to 12, 2021. This was announced by the organizers and the city of Kiel on Wednesday evening after consultation with the participating clubs (Kieler Yacht Club, Norddeutscher RegattVerein, Seglerhaus am Wannsee Club) and after consulting the Schleswig-Holstein state government. The new planning fits in with the already planned Star Boot World Championship in Kiel from September 4 to 11, with 80 boats expected, as well as the previous Star Boot Junior World Championship (August 31 to September 3). Now everything points to a golden September sailing again.
The large yachts of the ORCi championship as part of the Kiel Week 2020 under spinnaker. The organizers still want to announce the exact program for the Kiel Week 2021, which has been postponed to September
With their decision, the organizers are deliberately reacting early on, according to their own declaration, to the increasing incidence figures in many countries and the associated uncertain planning situation. In 2020, too, on March 19, the Kiel-based company was one of the first major organizers to react to the pandemic with a postponement. The postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 followed on March 24, less than a week later. The postponed Kieler Woche became a sporting success in demanding times without festival activities and an audience.
Kiel Week winner Holger Jess in an interview in Corona times. His 505 helmsman Wolfgang Hunger had increased his Kiel Week fable record to 23 victories in 2020
The entrance for the active to the 126th Kieler Woche 2020, which was a sporting success in September, but which had to be enjoyed in camera and without a supporting program
According to his statement in a press release from the state capital Kiel, the renewed relocation with a view to the current corona situation is the right decision for Kiel's Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer: "With the expansion of the test strategy and the progress with the vaccinations, we will hopefully be in a situation in September in which a Kiel week closer to the 'original' will be possible. " Ulf Kämper told NDR in the evening: "If we can do a Kiel Week this year, which we firmly believe, it will be in September. And then not just digitally, but with real people on site." This statement by the Lord Mayor referred to the festival, which is an important part of the Kieler Woche. "According to human judgment, sailing should be possible," said Kämper. His complete interview can be seen and heard here (please click!). Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther gave all Kieler Woche fans hope: "The prospects for a 'real' Kieler Woche" grow with every additional month."
Laser world champion Philipp Buhl won the 126th Kiel Week in the final sprint
Have happy memories of the 126th Kiel Week 2020: The 49erFX sailors TinLutz and Susann Beucke fulfilled their Olympic dream last autumn by buying their Tokyo ticket
"We have already made a conscious decision," said the sports organization manager Dirk Ramhorst. The Kieler Woche also lives from its international fields, according to the experienced regatta manager. "We also want to show solidarity with the showmen and artists of the Kieler Woche. A separation of the sailing week and the festival cannot be an alternative." When asked whether the postponement of the world's largest regatta week can also be understood as a warning shot from the perspective of the International Olympic Committee, Ramhorst YACHT said online: "The Olympic Games will take place four weeks after the regular date of the Kiel Week. I believe that the Olympic Games can take place - just not in the circle in which it is otherwise known."
The Kiel Week organizers want to present more details about the prospects and the sports program in autumn in the coming weeks