Sailing is the heart and soul of watersports

boot Düsseldorf has been the home port and motor for international #watersports for 54 years. The focus has always been on an area that is particularly important to me personally: #sailing. The history of sailing goes way back into the history of mankind: on Egyptian ships more than 5,000 years ago, sails first blew and boats floated up and down the Nile. To this day, sailing has lost none of its appeal and will also play this very special role at the upcoming boot in January 2023. Sailing means true passion - passion you can experience for yourself in two?impressive halls. Me being a passionate sailor myself I am especially looking forward to more than 100 manufacturers, sailing associations and regatta organisers that will fill the sailing Halls 15 and 16 and show the "crème de la crème" of the industry.

We have almost every brand on board. By that I mean both the big players in the industry and young, up-and-coming startups. boot Düsseldorf will show the largest presentation of sailing sport under trade fair roofs worldwide. The importance of sailing continues unabated and is increasingly in demand again, especially in today's world in view of sustainable propulsion.

Me and my team have undertaken numerous measures to intensively promote and introduce young people to the sport of sailing in our Sailing School.

A particularly magical attraction at boot is traditionally the stage of the Sailing Center. Although preparations are still in full swing here, two exciting themes have already been decided. The charismatic single-handed sailor and Vendée Globe participant Pip Hare sailed her way into the hearts of the fans in 2021 and will report on her further plans for 2024 at boot. Another highlight will be the live broadcast from Cape Verde to the Sailing Center in Hall 15 with 2014 Olympic sixth place finisher Robert Stanjek , after his first leg of The Ocean Race from Alicante to the Cape Verde Islands.

A look around the exhibition halls makes my and the sailing fan’s heart beat faster. Amel, Arcona Yachts , Najad - Yachts of Sweden , BAVARIA YACHTS , BENETEAU , BENTE , Cantiere del Pardo S.p.A. , CNB, Contest Yachts , Dufour , Elan, Faurby Yacht ApS , Grand Soleil, GREENBOATS , Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB , J/Boats Inc. , Jeanneau , Nautor Swan , Oyster Yachts , Sirena Marine , Solaris Yachts , SUNBEAM Watersports GmbH , Wauquiez Boats , among others, are on board with their fleets and a wide range of products. Bénéteau, for example, will bring a whole armada of sailing boats to boot - and present current sustainable concepts. For the first time, Wally will also be represented with a sailboat and the new Nano is sure to attract quite a bit of attention.

In our sailing halls, the very special flair that unites the sportsmen and women will once again be evident. Everyone is welcome here. Whether dinghies or the large yachts from Nautor's Swan, CNB and Oyster, monohulls or multihulls from Bali, Excess, Lagoon and Quorning, in Halls 15 and 16 the dream of sailing will come true.

So, come and join us at boot 2023 – your freedom starts here.