For the NRV, the "Kieler Förde" is no unfamiliar territory. The Club organized the first of innumerable "Races in Kiel harbour" in 1869 and this became an annual event from 1882. Thus Kiel Week is an event established by the NRV. Since 1891 the biggest sailing event today is organised in close friendship jointly with the Imperial Yacht-Club (Kaiserlicher Yacht-Club - KYC, since 1946 Kieler Yacht-Club). In this way the NRV and KYC implemented extreme delight in sailing for Emperor Wilhelm II, who had always desired to have a "German Cowes Week".

Kiel Week, except during the war years, has long and systematically outgrown its forerunner. Crowning moments came with the Olympics both in 1936 and 1972, with the city of Kiel staging an ambitious programme of cultural and other events ashore. From 1892 the sea races to Travemuende were a traditional part of Kiel Week, as well as those to Eckernfoerde from 1893 until 2004.

Before and during every Kiel Week, the NRV is particularly heavily engaged as one of the group of clubs sharing the organization along with KYC, the VSaW, HSC, and ESC. The Club has been equally successful in competition on the water.

Nowadays the NRV has hatched numerous initiatives and innovations for Kiel Week, covering race courses, boat classes, on the water judges and umpires as well as sponsorship. All this has turned the Kiel Week into an unofficial sailing world championship and a pre-Olympics testing ground.

For further information:

• www.kieler-woche.com