SSL City Grand Slam: countdown begins in Hamburg

Curtains on the first SSL City Grand Slam will be lifted in just 8 weeks in Hamburg. 

Hamburg is a big nautical city in Northern Germany, many historic shipyards have set their home here and lots of yachts have their basis here for the winter refit. The city has also a long tradition in sailing, the NRV – Norddeutscher Regatta Verein – is Hamburg’s yacht club: founded in 1868, the club on lake Alster is almost 150 years old. Sailing in Germany is still a niche sport, but the NRV can count on the support of 2,000 active members and is the co-founder of Travemunde and Kieler Woche, two of the most successful sailing events of Northern Europe.

On lake Alster, just 1,5 miles large and 1,5 miles long, you can often spot any kind of dinghies training, and almost every weekend there is a regatta. Dragons are very popular among German sailors, and so is the Star, well represented by Star sailors Robert Stanjek, Johannes Polgar and Markus Koy, all of them NRV members. They have all taken part at all of the SSL Finals and at last year’s SSL Lake Grand Slam in Grandson (Switzerland) and won’t miss the chance to give their best shot at the title – and prize money – sailing on their home waters.

Sport and social schedule are shaping up for the SSL City Grand Slam right in the center of Hamburg, and so is the VIPs list of wild cards given to Star champions all over the world, there will be constant updates both on the website and on SSL Facebook page: stay tuned.