SAP 5O5 World Championship - Kiel action starts August 13th

by Herman Hell on 11 Apr 2014 Kieler Yacht-Club is happy to host the SAP 5O5 World Championship 2014, which will take place in Kiel, Germany from 13-22 August, 2014. More than 130 crews from over fifteen nations are expected to descend on Kiel to compete for the title of SAP 5O5 World Champion. Participants from nations all over the globe can expect both exciting on-water action as well as great celebrations with the 5O5 community on the shore.

One of the great 5O5 sailors who have already registered for this year’s regatta is the five-time World Champion, Wolfgang Hunger, from Kiel, Strande. On his home shore he is once again a favorite for the title. Hunger knows the waters of Kiel like no other, having already won twenty-one Kieler Woche titles. However, Hunger will only be able to spend a limited time on the water with his bowman Julien Kleiner in the lead up to the Worlds. He says: 'As the defending champions, Claas Lehmann and Leon Oehme will be the ones to beat.'

There will also be strong competition from overseas from the American sailor, Mike Holt, who in 2011 had a close battle with Hunger/Kleiner for the title. The boats were neck and neck up until the last upwind leg where the Germans were able to edge Holt out and claim the title. Holt will certainly be looking to make up for this loss in Kiel this summer. His compatriot, Howard Hamlin, has competed in the 5O5 class for over four decades and will be looking to add 2014 another title to his championship win in 1999.

The SAP 5O5 World Championship regatta committee is running at full speed. The team is currently focusing their efforts on attracting as many international participants as possible up to the north of Germany. Such example of their efforts is the Accommodation Service of the local 5O5 team which is coordinated via the e-mail address: accomodation@worlds505.de. The service is offering various types of accommodation including yachts, private housing, caravans and camping. The team can even help out with placement in hotels and rental apartments.

The planned social events are another organizational focus for the committee as they entice participants to compete in Kiel. During the race days of the SAP 5O5 World Championship the entry fee includes a daily breakfast, snacks and drinks as well as three evening events which includes the Prize Giving and Farewell Ceremony. This year the closing ceremony will be held on Friday August 22nd at the Hotel Kieler Yacht Club, this will certainly be the grand final for all the participants.

The official SAP 5O5 World Championship 2014 shirt each participant will receive by event sponsor Musto will provide a long lasting memory. To deliver great quality, the participants are asked to use the registration portal till May 21st 2014 to submit their size so that the shirts fit perfectly. 'We are very pleased that we were able to win the Peter Frisch GmbH with their quality products by Musto as 5O5 Worlds sponsor – that fits excellently together!' said Nikolaus Rickers of the marketing agency Point of Sailing. For fans the shirt will be also purchasable via the online registration portal.

Faber + Münker completes the prospect of the service-oriented supporters of the Worlds in Schilksee and guaranteed as the official sail maker of the SAP 5O5 World Championship a 24h service for sailors. 'Who hands in a damaged 5O5 sail to F&M service point at the Vaasahalle the sail gets whenever possible repaired until the next morning before the first race starts,' promises Ulrich Münker.

At It-For-Logistics adds its competencies of the container logistics and technical aspects. 'Flexibility and fast reactions are required, and we like to support', comments At CEO and 5O5 sailor Andreas Jungclaus.

In advance of the Championship a lot of work is still to be done for the three-time World Champion Holger Jess. He wants to pull the strings for the Worlds not only on the jib sheet but is also preparing the top teams equipment. For years the specialists from Eckernfoerde fine tunes the boats of global top teams. There even is a new design development for this year. Taking advantage of all construction tolerances and with tenths of a millimeter accurate measurement, calculation and form milling the Jess Evolution 2014 is built in a joint venture between Jess and Ovington Boats from England. The Jess Evolution 2014 stoked the top-class-sailor already from the drawing board. At least 17 boats are to be delivered before the World Cup.

The competition kicks off in Kiel, Germany on August 13 with the Pre-Worlds Regatta followed by the SAP 5O5 World Championship from August 16-22. So far, 66 teams from 14 countries all over the world have entered.

It is also possible to charter a 5O5. You can find further details on the event website.