Kieler Woche 2026 - Day 8: Record-breaking heat stifles the sailing wind
by Kieler Woche 27 Jun 14:27 UTC
20-28 June 2026
A parade in front of the Olympic Sailing Center in Kiel-Schilksee: The Thor Heyerdahl is one of the most prominent tall ships in the Windjammer Parade at Kieler Woche © Christian Beeck / Kieler Woche
No wind, no sailing races - that was the simple reality on Saturday (June 27), the penultimate day of the Kieler Woche regatta in Kiel-Schilksee.
Only the "Silbernes Band" race for offshore yachts which started on Friday evening, was brought to the finish line after the course was shortened. The scorching heat sweeping across half of Europe has also reached northern Germany, sapping any sailing wind before severe thunderstorms are expected overnight into Sunday. After a challenging week, competitors and organizers are hoping for a refreshing breeze on the final day.
Meteorologist Sebastian Wache from Kieler company Wetterwelt, who had already been the most sought-after person throughout Kieler Woche, was the center of attention on the penultimate day of the regatta. "The record-breaking heat of around 35 degrees has also gripped Schilksee, but it's not bringing the hoped-for thermal sea breeze because clouds from an approaching weather system - carrying a risk of lightning and thunder - are partially covering the land," said the weather expert. The gradient also remained too small. Wache did not foresee the risk of severe thunderstorms with potential hurricane-force gusts before Sunday night. But he had no hope for a steady sailing breeze. At 2:12 p.m., Principal Race Officer Fabian Bach put an end to the wait for everyone and canceled the entire program for the day.
The only race that had already started the previous evening in Strander Bay remained the "Silbernes Band" (Silver Ribbon) throughout the day. The long-distance race marking the conclusion of the Offshore program and also serving as the international German championship for double-handed crews. It was to cover 135 nautical miles, sailing counterclockwise around the Danish island of Langeland. "The fleet sailed into the Great Belt under dream conditions and at speeds of up to 15 knots," reported Principal Race Officer Eckart Reinke.
But no sooner had they passed the northern tip than the breeze gradually died down. Moreover, the current - which had previously been helping them accelerate - was now working against the yachts. At the front of the fleet, the boats bunched up, and many came to a standstill. Quite a few even dropped anchors to avoid drifting backward. The race was then shortened, and the finish line was set at a waypoint off the island of Avernakø. At 15.08 and 26 seconds local time the Cape 31 "Niramo" by Sönke Meier-Sawatzki from Kiel Yacht-Club slowly crossed the line first. "It was completely dead here for a long time before," reported Uli Münker from the race team. The time limit was set to expire at 9.00 p.m. The awards ceremony had already been postponed to Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of visitors along the shores of the Kiel Fjord were enjoying the traditional windjammer parade. The lead ship, the "Thor Heyerdahl," had, of course, set its sails, just like most of the other participants. However, the fleet had to cover the route out past the Friedrichsort Lighthouse to the outer fjord under engine power. They had simply not enough wind too.
Full results can be found here.