Olympic expertise on Warnemünder Woche

The Warnemünder Woche has made a great success in filling the vacant position of the overall race committee. Pinar Coşkuner Genç takes over the position and thus ensures that the Warnemünder Woche takes another big step towards the professionalization of the regatta week.

The Turkish national possesses the highest level of expertise in this position. Last year, she presided over the Olympic sailing competitions off Marseille as Chief Race Officer. She also has an outstanding reputation as a referee, having served on the juries of all three German Sailing Weeks. Her organizational leadership skills are internationally renowned and sought after. Just this April, she was unanimously elected as President of the European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF).

"With her many years of experience in sailing and an active career as a sailor, she is a great asset to the European federation. In addition to her native language, she is fluent in English, Italian, and German—an important contribution to understanding and intensive exchange between the national federations. I am very much looking forward to working with her," said DSV President Mona Küppers upon the election of Pinar Coşkuner Genç as EUROSAF President in the spring.

This excellent communication skills of the new overall race director will also be of benefit to the Warnemünder Woche help bring more high-class events to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In addition to her organizational expertise and diverse language skills, the Turkish native is also very well connected in the sailing scene.

She began sailing at the early age of five, initially sailing youth dinghies and later Olympic dinghies, and also participated in fast-paced regatta yachts. She became involved in various sailing associations early on – from the Turkish national federation to the European umbrella organization and the world federation.

She first entered the Olympic stage in 2012, as race director of the Paralympic Sonar class. She captained the 470 class in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, and then the entire Olympic sailing team last year. She is also professionally active in water sports, representing major shipyards through her company.

Warnemünde is a familiar sailing destination for the multi-talented sailor. She served on the jury here ten years ago and sees her return as overall race director as "a bit like coming home."

Ralf Bergel, Chairman of the Warnemünder Woche, is pleased about the successful signing: “Pinar will enhance the reputation of Warnemünder Woche We look forward to working with them and will coordinate with them in the coming days to finalize the program for the 88th. Warnemünder Woche (July 4 to 12, 2026).”