The first Warning Signal on the triangular courses will be given at the next Kiel Week (June 17-25, 2023) in the Olympic disciplines, with five regatta days planned for all, with the final Medal Races at the end.
In contrast, most of the international classes will take place in the second part from Thursday to Sunday. This swap, compared to last year, the organizing committee from the Kieler Yacht-Club announced as an important signal before the annual conference of World Sailing in Abu Dhabi.
“We want to offer the athletes optimal training opportunities before the competition in the pre-Olympic year,” explains Head of Organising, Dirk Ramhorst the decision of the committee. It reflects feedback from the participants.
Due to the large quantity of boats in the international part on the harbour area in Kiel-Schilksee, as well as on the water, the warm-up for the Olympic aspirants had been limited before. Now they can arrive before Kiel Week, familiarise themselves with conditions and prepare for the important regatta. This wish was expressed especially by many foreign teams.
The full contingent of Olympic classes will end with the Medal Races for the top ten, starting Wednesday morning on the TV-friendly inner courses of Kiel Bay.
“For the major rest of the fields, however, the regatta should not be over after the fourth day,” says Fabian Bach, Principal Race Officer.
In addition to the Olympic disciplines, there will also be a small number of international classes in the first part of the regatta, in order to split the total number of participants sensibly across the board.
The inclusive 2.4mR class also remains set at Kiel Week. The exact split is to be announced with the Notice of Race no later than the traditional Kiel-Treff at the international water sports fair boot (January 21-29) in Düsseldorf.
Since Kiel Week is protected in World Sailing’s worldwide regatta calendar from scheduling conflicts with World Championships and Continental Class Championships, sailing fans can hope for impressive starting fields.
For the top sailors, Kiel is on the way from the European spring regattas to the combined World Championships of all Olympic disciplines in August in The Hague, Netherlands.
The new schedule will also make Kiel Week interesting for even more nations as an Olympic qualifying event. Because from the point of view of the participants, the surroundings are also right.
