The Hanseatic Lloyd World Championship within the framwork of the Rolex Baltic Week from 19-28 August is about to begin. The acme of the Sailing Class, which only occurs every two years will be combined with the Childhood Charity Race for the first time.

Dragon sailing is more than just a sport that unifies technology and nature elegantly. The sailors of the international Dragon Class, which is titled the King Class, are well aware of their social responsibility. That is the reason why it is no surprise that almost all sailors taking part in the World Championship have also enroled for the benefit-regatta, which supports the Childhood Charity Foundation. Numerous personalities from business and sports will also use this opportunity to sail for a good cause. Sailing-Star Russell Coutts will also be there.

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, foundress of the World Childhood Foundation and patron of the benefit-regatta, willl observe the race, and in the evening conduct the presentation ceremony for the winners on Gut Hasselburg. But that’s not all: Over 15 valuable objects – from a small golden Dragon, a cruise, a Rolex watch or a precious scale model of a Dragon – will be auctioned within the framework of this charity evening. The registration fees and the auction proceeds will be passed on in full to the World Childhood Foundation, a foundation to help needy children all over the world.

The starting signal for the first race of the World Championship will be on Monday, 22 August. Seven races are planned, the prize giving ceremony will be held after the last race on Sunday, 28 August. “Everybody of distinction in the class will be present”, said Rupert Fischer the commodore of the German Dragon Class. A total of 75 teams from 14 nations will race for the title. Acting and former world champions as well as medallists from the Dragon and other classes are on the entry list.

The world championship will be paralleled by a second regatta, the Dragon World Week, also with two dozen boats, so that there will be about 100 Dragons, leaving an impressive picture on the Neustädter bay.