Bulletin August 14th 2006

Rostock’s mayor, Roland Methling, says “Thank You”
“It is a pity that the the 16th Hanse Sail 2006 over.” Rostock’s mayor summarises one day after. “It was a fantastic maritime festivity. Four days long, the Sail had a great impact on the life in our city. Especially the coloured diversity of the participating ships has been magnet to more than a miliion of people from all Baltic regions and from all over Germany and Europe. The people from Rostock presented themselves as open and kind hosts. I like to thank all organisers, helpers, partners and sponsors. Without their support the 16th Hanse Sail would not have been possible.”

Hanse Sail manager Holger Bellgardt draws a positive balance
Holger Bellgardt, head of the Hanse Sail office, is pleased and satisfied after four Sail days. “There are many reasons to be happy. Through the cooperation with numerous partners and by the support of our sponsors, we managed to organise a great event. Even the heavy rain on Sunday could not take away the good fun. Hanse Sail ‘greenhorns’ have been welcomed heartily by the Sail family and quickly felt at home. Our visitors have enjoyed the maritime atmosphere and the seafaring romancy.”

Tourism industry very satisfied of Hanse Sail 2006
“It was a good Sail year for the hotels and restaurants”, summarises Hanneore Dolinga from the hotel and restaurant association Rostock. Especially the hotels and the B&B places were quite fully booked” The same says Marita Schöder, the present head of the tourism board Rostock & Warnemünde. She adds “Our colleagues of the tourist information centre in Rostock and Warnemünde were well-prepared for Hanse Sail. Through our new booking system we could easily find free capacities. Indeed, not every spontaneous guest was able to get a place at the chosen hotel but we were able to find accomodation for everyone.”

And the Sail goes on …
This year’s Hanse Sail is not yet over and some captains have already planned next year’s visit. Wolfgang Bischoff from The Tall-Ship booking centre is busy. “Dieter Räbiger from Uetersen registered his BIBER 3 in the first written application. The cogs and the Dutch boats also want to come again. The same goes for GERDA GEFLE from Sweden, who has already expressed her interest.”
Already this summer, we are going to have the next opportunity to watch big traditional sailing ships from close distance. On September 23rd, the Russiand MIR and DAR MLODZIEZY from Poland are going to moor at our harbour. Both ships are taking part in the regatta from Kiel to Bornholm, via Rostock, which has been organised by Sachsen Sail.
And the next Hanse Sail is going to begin again next year from August 9th to 12th. Big plans have already been made. This year’s cog reunion was a big success. We would like to invite them another time. The same goes for the HIORTEN regatta from Karlskrona to Rostock. Besides, in 2007, the Tall-Ship races are going to take place in the Baltic region.” Holger Bellgardt, Sail manager is already looking forward to that: “For that reason we will surely see some new and unusual grand sailors.”

Tough fight of traditional sailing vessels
Saturday afternoon, the brigantine BALTIC BEAUTY won a neck-and-neck race against the schooner brig GREIF. The close ‘Hanse Sail’ regatta took place near the coast of Warnemünde. “Both ships had almost the same sailing speed, it was very exciting, even the viewers ashore magnetisedly followed the narrow race”, reports the head of the race, Uwe Jahnke from the sailing club Warnemünde. Just in the last minute the Swedish BALTIC BEAUTY could decide the race in her favour, and thus secured the first place in the group of the square-rigged vessels. In the biggest group of 19 schooners and galeasses, the gaff ketch ARKONA reached the finishing line first. The PEREGRINE won in the category of one-masted traditional sailing vessels. First Ship Home of all 39 participants of the regatta was the BAUMSTARK at 14.44 pm, that started in the group of yachts. Here second was the LUPA DI MARE. In total, 39 ships took part in the regatta at wind force 3 from the North at 12.30 noon. The last participant, DAENN BLAUWE, crossed the target line at 16.55 pm.

Big interest in the Navy
More than 30,000 guests - is the proud number of the German Navy this year. During the great days from August 11th to 13th, the Navy was present at three places. The fast patrol boat S78 OZELOT moored at the city harbour. The frigate MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN could be found at Warnemünde and the training sailing ship GORCH FOCK anchored at the Naval base Warnemünde for an open ship exhibition. Apart from them, other vessels and boats of the German Navy as well as other units of the German Army were represented. The Navy has opened their doors for visitation. And despite of the bad weather conditions, the soldiers have been invaded by many interested.  According to the balance of the head of admiralty, rear admiral, Ulrich Otto “Hanse Sail is a unique opportunity for the German Navy to present themselves in the region and to show their connection to this area.

Navy ships say “Goodbye Hanse Sail”
At the end of Hanse Sail, the Naval units are going to leave Rostock again, having to face new challenges. The training sailing ship GORCH FOCK is going from Rostock to Kiel and then to Flensburg in order to take part in a swearing-in ceremony of officer candidates. Afterwards they plan to make a several-months journey to the Meditarranean. The frigate MECKLENBURG VORPOMMERN and the fast patrol boat OZELOT are going to participate together in a maneouvre on the North and the Baltic Sea, including a trip to the Danish harbour Århus. The ship crews thanked Rostock for its hospitality and they are looking forward to another time in Rostock.

According to the Hanseatic Brewery “The 16th was the best.”
“Congratulations to the organisers. For us, the 16th Hanse Sail was the greatest”, said the promotion manager of the Hanseatic brewery Rostock, Peter Gliehm. The great beer weather and good temperatures are not the only reason for his enthusiasm. “We like the arrangement of the fun and market mile. A little less was more this year.”, according to Gliehm, who also underlines the hilarious party atmosphere at the brewery party tower. The market organiser, Hannes Hübner was also pleased. “Everything wonderful. We are positively surprised and the big number of visitors show that.” Already on Thursday, the guest crowds were big. The merchants and showmen were very happy with their tent site. And finally: “The weather was on our side.”

Increased interest in seaplane reunion
Peter Kumpart and the other organisers were surprised that already on Thursday more guests came to the seaplane reunion than in the years before. Kumpart said, “We do not want to top visitor records, the crews’ and passengers’ security is more important. Therefore the cooperation with army reservists and and the harbour police is necessary in order to secure the safe course of the event.”
When a small storm broke out, two planes had a slight collision on Saturday afternoon. After a brave jump into the water, a policeman was able to separate the two planes from each other. However, there has been no danger for the crews or the passengers. No consequences for the further course of the event.
A Dutch pilot, who has been at Hanse Sail for the first time, was really impressed “First I really wanted to watch at the beautiful landscape myself.” He promised to come back.

72 players at the Pilsner Hanse Sail Cup
Football fanatics played at the Rostocker Pilsner Hanse Sail Cup. Already for the fourth time they fought against each other with passes, goal shots, free kicks and throw-ins and corners. The teams are actually the crew members from the ships. One keeper and four players made a team in the gym 603 in the city harbour. Match organiser naturally said that “the fun was most important” but the games were not only fun. Especially hard-fought was the match of the GORCH FOCK against the crew of the Polish landing craft POZNAN (no. 3). Here, the cup winners-to-be of the big sailing ship had to take one goal against and before the second half they were close to defeat. Second was the crew of the attendence policemen Waldeck.
The Swedish crew members from the KVATSITA (6th) and WESTKUST (7th), Kristina Larsson, Britt Persson, Hanna Engholm, Asta Hansen were polite and let the German hosts win before them. The titleholder MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN 1 was 4th and MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN 2 5th in the great tournament. The cups were sponsored by the Hanse Sail office.

SEAT-Kitesurf Trophy - relaxed even without wind
Having done anything, the kitesurfers had to finish their show at Hanse Sail. Too little wind was reason for the abandonment of the German Cup “Nevertheless, all surfers are very relaxed and impressed by the beach atmosphere.”  , says Pascal Matzke. Thousands of visitors have gathered information about the trendy sport. Besides, the guests at the NDR 2 showtruck near the lighthouse were able to watch the wakeboard contest and the kite triathlon.
The atmosphere at the sailing stadium was also great. Thousands of guests watched the daily regattas and learned about the sailing basics by the experts on stage.  The model sailors entertained the audience with capsize maneouvres and show elements on Sunday. The place has become a venue for young people.”said Hannes Werner, owner of the school trip centre, who has organsised the stage programme.

Icelandic Jazz band showed musical talent
Many Hanse Sail guests watched and listened yesterday to the music of the Icelandic Jazz band “Benni Hemm Hemm”. The dominating sounds were dark and strong brass sounds from the two trompets (Eriker Olafsson and Äki Asgeiersson), two  trombones of the brothers Finnur and Kari Ragnersson as well as the cornet of the only lady of the band, Elsa Kristin Sigurdardottir. But they also showed soft tunes with the interpretation of the song “I can love you anywhere”. The singer and band leader Benedikt Hermann Hermansson sang and together with the guitar players, Robert Reynisson and Gudmunder Stein Gunnarsson,and the bass player, Pall Ivan Palsson, he augmented his own guitar playing with an amazing solo.

Marit Thürkow from Rostock is Miss Hanse Sail 2006
Our eyes always like to look at beautiful people. For that reason big events like to decorate themselves with such beauties. Hanse Sail is no exception. This year, the 22-year old Marit Thürkow from Rostock made it. The decision was made by a jury, including Miss World from Columbia, Paula Saldarriaga. The female participants had to give an interview with intelligent responses first. Then face, walk and body were evaluated. The final winner was Marit Thürkow from Rostock before 17-year old Marlene Peters from Triebsees and Sissy Ziemer (18) from Schwerin. By the way, the ‘winning beauty’ is going to represent Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the Miss Germany contest on January 20th.
One thing should not be forgotten to mention. Actually 17 girls wanted to take part. However, one yong lady looked at her adversaries and fled.

Convivial Mecklenburgers culinarilly care for the crews
Mixed Italian antipasti, tortellini with ham and meat medaillons, served with different dips and sauces – this was the menu which Stefano Pirini offered his guests. The Italian restaurant ‘Luna Rossa’ happily welcomed 25 seamen, although the Italian who is originally from Rimini had no time to sit and talk during the eventful Sail days. Just like the host who has been living in Rostock for five years, 45 other restaurants served and cared for more than 400 foreign seamen. For six years, Ulrich Hellmuth from the Hanse Sail office and Angret Ede have organised the ‘Hanse Sail’ event “Convivial Mecklenburgers”, has talked to restaurant owners and tried to find new hosts.

Open Ship – German Sea rescue service invites
The German sea rescue service invited the Hanse Sail guests to go aboard the sea rescue ship VORMANN JANTZEN in the city harbour. The head of the information centre Nordost (DGzRS), Jürgen Gronholz, said that many people came to see the ship. He thanked once more the new but also the old donators who enable the cost-free rescue of human life. He was really happy about the donations since the association depends financially on them. Yesterday at 3 pm, many people watched amazed a sea rescue with helicopters.

The 7th cannoneers’ reunion
This year it was loud and noisy again in the city harbour. Already on Thursday, the Hanse Sail was officially opened with seven cannon shots. However, one day later the 7th cannoners’ reunion  was opened by the shooting association “Concordia 1848”. The senator of culture, Ida Schillen, the Hanse Sail manager, Holger Bellgardt and member of the regional parliament, Reinhardt Thomas witnessed the first shots. On the occasion of the 13th birthday of the shipping company “Scandlines”, the 30 historical cannons can be seen once more on the Scandlines premises in Warnemünde on Sunday. Scandlines has been promotion partner of the Hanse Sail for many years.

Rabbit with diving goggles won the competition
The hairdresser, Dybaré, has the most beautiful shop window of this year’s ’Hanse Sail’. For the first time the shop in the ‘Jakobi passage’ took part in the contest and won the evaluation of the audience with its maritime decoration. The rabbit that sits relaxed in the deck chair catches one’s eye immediately and makes the people smile since he wears diving goggles, a snorkel and flippers. Next to the bunny a small ship sails on the wavy hair of a dressed head. The coiffeur also kept the 50th anniversary of the German Navy in mind– both figures wear sailor shirts. On the top of the window there is a net in which shells, hair care products and the Hanse Sail flag are skilfully included. The whole picture is rounded off by beach sand which is spread on the floor. However, for the jury the shop window of the city library was the most beautiful one. They were also the first prize. The “City-Kreis” Rostock e.V. and the ‘Hanse Sail’ office appealed for the contest in which over 50 shops of the Hanseatic City of Rostock took part.

Wim Spaargaren is able to walk again
During the last 15 years, the attendents and guides of the Hanse Sail office have come across nearly all smaller and bigger difficulties of the life ashore and on the sea. However, there are always new challenges for the attendents’ head, Günter Senf and his deputy, Marianne Dietrich – like organising the repair of a foreign seaman’s prosthesis. Wim Spaargaren (64) from the yacht 5TH SYMPHONY called because the lock of his implant had broken. The walking aid had been made by Dutch orthopaedists. Moreover, the sailor’s health insurance is Dutch, too. Marianne Dietrich, a teacher with more than 10 years of ‘stormy’ Sail experience and a sailing fan herself, was able to solve the problem. This was due to the quick and competent help of the Rostocker company “Liebau Orthopaedics equipment”in Paulstraße. The company organised the transport of the handicapped sailor.Adjusting, fitting, mending - and all of them were happy. The touched Wim Spaargaren is able to walk again and thanked the orthopaedics company. Thank you very much!

A couple from Brandenburg happily aboard
The harbour master, Stefan Rathmanner and police inspector, Frank Schmoll, from the harbour police were guardian angels on Saturday night. With their help, Christiane and Jörg Dedow were able to get to the Polish brigg FRDERYK CHOPIN just in time.
The couple from Brandenburg had been invited by a fruit company. Happily looking forward to a night sea trip, they arrived at Warnemünde and were desperately looking for the beautiful vessel. Meanwhile the sailing ship had already started her trip from the city harbour. The Hanse Sail announcer, who was presenting the passing ships, was able to help. He instantly called the harbour police. They gave the couple a lift on the police boat WARNOW to the Polish brigg and finally the last passengers could come aboard.

Hanse Sail 2007 – future prospects – Sweden
Sometimes people from Mecklenburg or Pommerania like to call themselves South-Swedes (just for fun of course – but still). This goes back to historical facts. Wismar for instance belonged to Sweden till 1903 and Stralsund till 1815. The ‘Schonen’ sailors, called after the South-Swedish region Skåne, did brisk trade from Rostock.
In 2007, Sweden is going to be the partner country of ‘Hanse Sail’. This is not because of ‘old Swedish times’ but because Sweden is going to be head of the Baltic Sea council in 2007. The latter gives cooperative advise to all countries which border the Baltic Sea and to the EU committee considering economic and cultural cooperation in the region.
There are many things, relating the German Northeast and Sweden – especially regarding maritime aspects. There is for instance the restauration of the old post steamboat HIORTEN. The HIORTEN regatta has traditionally been and still is starting signal of ‘Hanse Sail’. Both countries take part in ‘Baltic Sail’. Swedish traditional sailing vessels belong to ‘Hanse Sail’ just as the rigging belongs to the sailing boat.

The weather forecast
Thanks a lot Fortuna! The big low-pressure area from Belgium to Poland had been defeated before it could seize the absolute power of our weather. Its impact was only marginal and it went westwards and is now duelling against a high-pressure area at Lapland, which is moving East. The consequences are just like yesterday – a bit cloudy, sometimes sunny and now and then a little rain, which means that the Hanse Sail Monday cannot decide for either rain or sunshine.
On the whole, the weather god has been kind to the Hanse Sail but still he (or she?) wanted to demonstrate what else could have been possible.