The Ocean Race Europe has opened in Kiel with sailors, teams, stakeholders and fans enjoying the festivities in Ocean Live Park and the speed runs on the waters off the Kiel Canal ahead of the race start scheduled for Sunday at 1550 local time (CEST).

There has been a big turnout of fans on the opening days, with a positive buzz along the waterfront as The Ocean Race returns to Kiel following a Fly-By event in 2023 and an iconic race finish in 2002.

“It’s been fantastic to see the joint effort with so many stakeholders coming together to make such an amazing event,” said Boris Herrmann, the skipper of the home side, Team Malizia. “I see a lot of very happy fans and sailors on the promenade here in the build up to the start and that is very exciting for all of us.”

On Friday and Saturday, the sailors are taking part in the Pro-Am Speed Runs, close to shore, just off the Ocean Live Park while Sunday will see the start of Leg One of The Ocean Race Europe, a three to four day race to Portsmouth, off the south coast of England.

The format of The Ocean Race Europe is intense and unforgiving, with a series of five sprint race legs ‘Connecting Europe’ and taking the fleet from the Baltic and North Seas, into the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean before a final turn in the Adriatic Sea.

“When we look ahead to the next six weeks, I think this has the potential to be one of the most challenging races we’ve ever seen,” said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race. “ I know our sailors and teams are here because they push themselves to the limit to achieve the extraordinary, and that’s what will happen this summer with The Ocean Race Europe. We can’t wait to get started.”

“It’s one of the trickiest race courses we can have,” noted Yoann Richomme, the skipper of Paprec-Arkéa, during the opening press conference on Friday. “It’s a race that makes so much sense, competing around Europe in these fast boats, visiting so many countries. It’s something I really enjoy. But it makes it challenging. As sailors we need to prepare for so many changes, from racing through tiny islands, to the open ocean, and then back into sea breeze conditions in the Mediterranean. I have huge respect for all the sailors here and I truly believe each leg could be won by a different boat. It’s hard to pick a podium in this fleet. It’s a fast, six-week race, but at the same time, it’s a bit of a long-term game - if you start off too hot you might end up burning yourself out.”

A fan favourite from the last race, Rosalin Kuiper, has taken on the immense challenge of skippering a very strong Team Holcim PRB. She says the change has been a big learning opportunity.

“It’s really cool to make the step from crew to skipper,” Kuiper says. “It’s nice to see the bigger picture and work across all departments. I’m learning so much, you can’t imagine. But on the boat we have a very flat structure.. I’m not going to tell the best sailors in the world what to do!! But in the end, of course, as the skipper, I know I’m responsible and it’s my call.”