Kieler Yacht-Club 2.74

Kieler Yacht-Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Germany. It is located in the harbor city of Kiel.This club is well known for some of the yacht racing events it organizes. The main one is the yearly Kieler Woche, which is perhaps the biggest sailing event in the world.In 1972, when the Olympic Games were held in Munich, the Olympic sailing competitions took place in the Kiel Bay and this yacht club had a major role in their organization.Historical backgroundA club for military personnel, the "Marine-Regatta-Verein" ("Naval Regatta Club"), was established in 1887 in Kiel by officers of the Imperial German Navy. Prince Heinrich of Prussia, a yachting enthusiast and German Emperor's Wilhelm II's younger brother, was its patron. In 1891 Wilhelm II became the club's commodore, bringing his own yacht Meteor I (the former Thistle) to the club's marina in Kiel. The same year the club changed its name to "Kaiserlicher Yacht Club" (Imperial Yacht Club), among other changes introduced, the club allowed civilian members to join.