The weather for the Kieler Woche regatta for Olympic classes left something to be desired. There were thunderstorms, rain and some big northerly gusts (Beaufort 5 - 6) on the Kiel Fjord … plus two days of no wind.

Kiel Week 2005 - More sunshine than sailing
Report by Alexander Hagen

When the Olympic classes prepared for the biggest sailing event in the world the non-Olympic classes already suffered from a Scandinavian high pressure that presented high temperatures and very little wind. By the end of the event we sailed only 2 out of 5 days, but these days were excellent, the very best that sailors can get, with 10-20 knots of wind quite steady from the north and some seas plus a lot of sunshine. Just the last race on Saturday ended a little uncomfortably when the wind died completely on the finishing run and the competitive fleet of 40 boats from 16 nations gathered on the finish line all at the same time. But a dock-party from the Kiel Fleet cheered those up that had been disadvantaged on the water.

Oh – by the way, the Star Class was highly focused on by the media. It was not only Beat Stegmeier and his boat SUI 7990 that took attraction. The press was hunting for his skipper Russell Coutts who jumped into the Star and respectfully finished 7th.

In the end we had a fine series of 5 races with a throw out and our new members Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Dominik Zycki from Poland won, followed by Americans George Szabo / Eric Monroe and Benny Andersen / Mogens Just from Denmark.

Beside sailing, 3.5 million people visited Kiel to enjoy the big festival. Kiel Week - one should not miss it.

Some comments about the wind and weather:

Wednesday, Day 1: The opening day of the Kiel Regatta was bathed in sunshine and warm temperatures. Racing kicked off with 11-14 knot winds on the Kiel Fjord. The Stars got in races 1 and 2.

Thursday, Day 2: Very light winds set the scene for day two of the Kiel Regatta. With a breeze whispering across the Fjord, the Stars could not get a race in.

Friday, Day 3: Due to light winds, the third day of the Kiel Regatta came to a standstill. As a light breeze built, all fleets took to the water only to have the racing called off as the winds died down again.

Saturday, Day 4: Saturday got off to a wet start. With rain in the morning turning into sunshine and light wind, the Star fleet completed three races.

Sunday, Day 5: As forecast, light and shifty winds dominated the last day at Kiel. The Stars did not race once again on this final day.