The Hempel Sailing World Championships Aarhus Denmark 2018 is underway.

It will include all 10 Olympic boat classes. Kitesurfing was added to the program for the first time.

Around 1,400 sailors from more than 90 nations are slated to take part.

Roughly 400,000 visitors are expected, as well.

Hempel chose to sponsor the event in order to support the maritime community in which the coatings supplier’s history has its roots.

“It’s great to see so many people from around the world gathered to celebrate a sailing event. Hempel is a company with strong values, a pioneering spirit, and solid roots in the maritime industry,” said Henrik Andersen, group president and CEO of Hempel A/S. “It makes sense for us to sponsor this huge event and be part of the races. As a company, we always strive for progress and we see every race as worth winning. That’s what makes us able to offer innovative and sustainable coating solutions that keep our customers one step ahead.”

“For a while now we have been celebrating that we are a world-leading supplier of biocide-free products in the yacht market. This means that by applying Hempel’s SilicOne or EcoPower Range, our customers are contributing to a healthier maritime environment,” added Thomas Olsen, Decorative and Yacht marketing director. “In 2018, we can also celebrate the launch of several new products within the yacht coating market. They are all developed with a focus on efficiency and the environment.”

The championships run through Aug. 12, 2018, and were organized by The Danish Sailing Association, Sailing Aarhus, City of Aarhus and Sport Event Denmark.