The best conditions on the water and perfect organisation on land have won Kiel the reputation of the world capital of sailing. Every year, the Schleswig-Holstein Land capital trumps its own leading position with outstanding international sailing events. It is not only in being the organiser of two Olympic sailing competitions (in 1936 and in 1972) that has established “KIEL.SAILING MEKKA“ (ISAF-Präsident Göran Peterson) worldwide as a hallmark for quality.

The Kieler Woche, the biggest sailing event in the world, is regularly the meeting-place for about 5,000 active sailors from 50 nations with more than 2,000 yachts, yawls and surfboards at the sailing review off Kiel-Schilksee. The Schleswig-Holstein Land capital made sailing history in June 2002, when 500,000 visitors prepared a grand welcome for the Volvo Ocean Racers on the final leg of their race. The pictures from Kiel went right round the world. With its own sailing camp especially for children, KIEL.SAILING CITY ensures its reputation as the most sailing-inspired and child-friendly city in the North. Kiel is the home port for the first German America’s-Cup campaign.