In the company of various class associations surrounding it the Sailing Center offers a unique platform for yachtsmen and women and those interested in sailing.
Stage programme – the highlights at the Sailing Center
A pioneer in the world of professional sailing Rosalin Kuiper is a tireless yachtswoman breaking new ground. As the only female participant to sail all stages of the Ocean Race, she was driven by an unbridled passion for the oceans. Affectionately, she speaks about the beauty of the seas, living on the waves in the world’s toughest sailing challenge and about the key importance of the oceans for our existence. Her mission reaches beyond the horizon: she wants to be an ambassador for cleaner oceans and fight for more diversity and equal rights in the world of sports. Rosalin was confirmed as the first female skipper for the Ocean Race Europe in 2025 and is already busy preparing for this challenge.
Something is moving in the offshore scene! Holly Cova manages Team Malizia, Rosalin Kuiper and Abby Ehler are sailing around the world for Holcim and Clarisse Crémer is fighting for her participation in the Vendée Globe. Women already established on the international regatta scene are helping young yachtswomen get a foothold in offshore sailing. A pioneer in this field is the Magenta Project. With the aim of also promoting German yachtswomen in offshore sailing, this year has seen a cooperation start in Germany: “Offshoreseglerinnen X The Magenta Project, powered by float”. At boot the new project will be introduced to boot’s large audience. The Sailing Center will welcome patron Annie Lush, the representative of the Magenta Project, the offshore yachtswomen and float.
Offshore sailing highly popular
More than a year ago Melwin Fink and Lennart Burke took that major step and ventured into the Class 40. The young “new entrants” will tell visitors what obstacles they encountered, what challenges they still face in the future and what motivates them to still take to the wind and waves in an uncomfortable boat time and again. Be inspired by two sailors whose passion is nothing less than contagious.
Michael Guggenberger, the Austrian sailor and “jack of all trades”, reports of his successful participation in the Golden Globe Race 2022. With his single-handed circumnavigation in 249 days, 17 hours and 42 minutes ranking third in the GGR 2022 he is a fascinating example of perseverance and the spirit of adventure.
This year sees the Oyster World Rally presented at the Sailing Center – the ultimate circumnavigation visiting the most remote and beautiful destinations in the world. The fully supported rally organized exclusively for Oyster owners attracts a varied group of international owners of all age groups together with families and friends. Crossing three oceans, the rally covers 27,000
nautical miles to explore the world’s most stunning cruising grounds and sailing destinations over a period of 16 months. Learn more about this unique trip by Oyster Yachts from Allie Smith, Director of the Oyster World Rally.
Bluewater and long-haul cruisers
Nicolas Manthos from Fellbach sailed in his “nutshell” from Greece through the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic into the Caribbean and back. At the Sailing Center he reports of the planning, the long time spent alone at sea, of storms and lulls, and of the highs and lows of his voyage. 120 days and 10,000 nm (18,000 km) alone on sailing boat just 5.5m long.
47 yachtswomen cross the Atlantic from Tenerife to Martinique on the brig Roald Amundsen in 24 days. An Atlantic crossing with an all-women crew had never been done before. Photographer Verena Brüning accompanied this groundbreaking cruise with her camera. The hard work on board, the special moments and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean – all this invites you to dream of your own adventures. At the Sailing Center Verena will chronicle her journey and time with the crew.
Dream of exploring the world “on your own keel”? Julia & Markus will show you in their talk ‘From Zero to Long-Haul Cruising‘ that it is never too early – or late – to do so. Despite minimal sailing experience they dared to plunge into the adventure of long-haul cruises as a young couple. They will share their most riveting stories and greatest challenges and encourage listeners to not postpone their sailing dreams until retirement age. Make sure to follow these two on this inspiring trip.
After her 4 ½-year circumnavigation covering 37 countries, 143 islands, 140 fellow sailors and about 45,000 nautical miles Mareike Guhr tells of the turquoise waters off the Bahamas and the enchanting coasts of New England; of bureaucratic hurdles, incredible hospitality, diverse fauna and breath-taking anchorages. This talk is not only about the world’s most beautiful oceans – this time cruises to the most remote islands on our planet and support for children in need will be centre stage.
10 years of dreaming turned into an unforgettable voyage for Janina Storjohann and Mike Dumitrescu. Now they want to encourage others to also listen to their hearts rather than their heads when plans change and to keep going rather than simply give up. The pair can look back on 13 months of travelling, on fascinating places, foreign cultures and strangers who became friends. With all these impressions and new ideas they found out that coming home is actually easier than setting off.
Claudia Clawien and Jonathan Buttmann waste no time dithering – aged 40 they quit their jobs to make their dream of a circumnavigation come true. They buy an old sailing yacht and set off to discover the world despite hardly any sailing experience and little money. The two years originally planned become seven – also sailing the Pacific Ocean for three whole years. In their book “Sieben Farben Blau” (Seven Colours of Blue) they describe not only the experiences gained during their sailing adventure but also the people and cultures they encountered on their voyage and what it is like to give up everything and “drop out”. On the boot Düsseldorf stage they will answer our presenters’ questions in an interview. Afterwards, the authors will be available to sign their book.
The Baltic states Estonia and Latvia offer a very special sailing experience with their innumerable ports, the metropoles Tallinn and Riga, their vast expanses of nature, many islands and long midsummer nights. In a maritime excursion of this sailing ground Michael Amme will provide both atmospheric impressions and valuable tips on the topics of weather, navigation, harbours, anchorages, costs, legal provisions, travel and charter options.
Sönke Roever represents the bluewater scene like no other! The travel lectures about his 3-year circumnavigation with his wife Judith in 1,200 days whisk listeners away to the Seven Seas.
The sailing community has its finger on the pulse
Emily Penn has already graced the Sailing Center with her talks for a number of years now! As a head of “eXXpedition” she sails the oceans of this world with all-women crews with the aim of raising awareness about the disastrous impact of single-use plastics and toxins in the world’s oceans on our health and environment and of finding solutions to them.
An interview at the Sailing Center featuring Marion Koch, the technical Director, and Norbert Sedlacek, founder, CEO and skipper, will focus on the ANT ARCTIC LAB Challenge as well as the sustainable and recyclable yacht-building concept of the IY Open60AAL in use since 2018 as a “laboratory yacht”, driving developments and striving for a first-time world record.
Service topics at the Sailing Center
The optimum rig trimming for dinghies to big ships will be demonstrated exhaustively by Bjarne Lorenzen and Helge Sach. Weather expert Sebastian Wache will provide valuable advice on identifying typical weather conditions. Together with Ulrich Münker he will discuss how to behave in severe weather and what we (yachtsmen/women) can expect from such conditions. Professional sailor Helge Sach will provide foiling advice for all. And if things should go wrong Dirk Hilcken will share tips on how to make a claim on your yacht insurance. From choosing your sailing ground to returning the yacht: hands-on information for a successful charter cruise will come care of destination and charter specialist Michael Amme sharing his top tips. Sea sickness can spoil the cruise for anyone affected. To prevent this from happening, sailing doctor Dr. Stefanie Kamke will entertainingly explain the root causes of sea sickness,
the factors favouring it and how to cope with it. Thomas Lösch will introduce visitors to the J/22 Class Association. The Vice President of the VARIANTA Class Association, Thomas Overkämping, will provide visitors with an insight into the possible uses and applications of this boat class along with general information on it. The Conger Class Association, which introduces itself at the Sailing Center as does the Hobie Cat Association, looks back on over 50 years of sailing sports.
More information can be found in the “Sailing Center” section on the boot Düsseldorf website at www.boot.de and on boot’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact person for questions:
Carolin Junker
Point of Sailing Marketing GmbH Kiellinie 70 - 24105 Kiel
Tel.: +49(0)431 – 800 98 13
carolin.junker@pointofsailing.de
