They are the shooting stars of the sailing scene and are on the way to the top: The star boat crews Robert Stanjek / Frithjof Kleen and Matthias Miller / Manuel Voigt from Rostock have been part of the German Sailing Association's national team for several years. At the European Championship of Star Boats at the beginning of August this year, they reached the A-squad and are aiming for participation in the 2008 Olympic Games.
The ambitious sailors are on the sunny side of life and yet keep an eye on those who are on the margins of society. On September 20, 2006, for the first time, they invite children from the Rostock-Lichtenhagen children's home to an afternoon under the motto "Star meets Youth".
Together with 12 to 17-year-olds they will sail the star boat, drive motor boats, see dinner and a film. At least that's how initiator Robert Stanjek imagines the day: "The idea has been floating around in my head for a long time. It's nice to be able to make children happy with such an initiative," says the 25-year-old, who did his community service in a home for the severely disabled.
He received support for the idea from many sides, for example the state sports association made the premises of the sports school in the marina on the central mole available free of charge, and the city sports trainer of the Hanseatic City of Rostock secured the activities on the water.
In Lichtenhagen, the invitation was accepted with great joy: "The children are really excited, most of them have never been on board a sailing ship," says Uwe Herrmann (42), educational director for the inpatient area of the children's home and boarding school. On Wednesday, 12 boys and two girls will be rewarded with participation in the "Star meets Youth" campaign and "sail" for an afternoon on the sunny side of life.