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Day 4: The Ocean Race Europe – Speed Runs & Party

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The Ocean Race Europe kicked off its fourth day on Saturday 9 August in perfect summer weather. The state capital proved once again that Kiel.Sailing.City is far more than just a slogan and is actually lived.

Sailing fans from near and far came to the fjord and there was also plenty of activity on the water with light winds that freshened up a little in the afternoon. Visitors strolled along the Kiellinie, watched the action on the water and enjoyed the special, always relaxed atmosphere.

For the second speed run session in the afternoon, it became even more crowded around the Blücherbrücke, so that entry to the bridge was temporarily halted. Hundreds celebrated the seven IMOCAs and the teams as they set off and then watched Team Allagrande Mapei Racing sail to victory under Italian skipper Ambrogio Beccaria.

The speed runs on the inner fjord were once again attended by numerous onlookers - the proximity to the teams and their sensational boats is proverbial. After the boat with Kiel's Lord Mayor Ulf Kämpfer on board had already won on Friday, another Kiel face brought luck to the winning boat: Uwe Wanger, Managing Director of Kiel-Marketing, was on board the Paprec Arkéa in the first speed run session and sailed to victory with French skipper Yoann Richomme and his team. "It was a picnic ride without much wind, but it was a great feeling to be on board the Paprec and with this famous captain who sailed us here. And I think we had a good time doing it too."

Team Amaala came third, Team Biotherm came second and the winner was Team Paprec Arkéa with skipper Yoann Richomme. Uwe Wanger presented Kiel Monopoly games to the teams as prizes.

Afterwards, the programme continued on stage with concerts ... and the anticipation of tomorrow, Sunday, when The Ocean Race Europe starts in Kiel!