Foto: Pepe Hartmann

All in all it was fun!

von Greg Wilcox 16.07.2015
For the first day Warnemunde really turned on the famous conditions but unfortunately it was a bit too much and all racing was cancelled. The second day started with sunshine and enough wind for us to sail for 1 1/2 hours just to get to the start! The wind was pretty light and very patchy and shifty. Perfect for Martin who had a great day with two wins. Bo Rocker Andersen and Andre Budzien were locked together in second and third followed closely by lightweight flyer Eric Bork. The rest of the fleet were up and down or just down. It was a long day on the water with the fleet launching at around 08.45 and returning just after 16.30. It seems very strange to us that we get stuck on the furthest course out when the kiddies in 420’s are much closer and they have coaches who tow them!

Foto: Pepe Hartmann

For Sunday we had the pleasure of having a 09.25am start followed by 5 races. Or so they said. At least there was some offshore wind so the 1 1/4 hour downwind to the start was quite relaxing. The Danes were heard to say that they could just get on the ferry from half way to Denmark and save some time getting home. The first start saw almost everyone sitting on the cockpit floor until the race was abandoned. Lucky for some and disappointing for others. So it is.

Foto: Pepe Hartmann

Then the wind started to fill in from the west. We started and the right hand corner was the place to be. Martin had another great race to get 2nd but let the cunning old Lindhartsen through to win. Andre was a very consistent 3rd. The wind was quite fresh by the end and it looked like some fun could be had in the 4th race. It started well in a decent breeze with Greg having the lead at the first mark. However it soon died down and got very sloppy and light again. Greg managed to just hold Martin off in the end by about a boat length. That was enough for Martin to win overall with one race to go.
At least for the last race the wind was more or less stable but again it was the right that paid all the time. Andre tacked directly off the line and lead the fleet to the corner. Greg was a bit further left and was lucky enough to be 2nd at the top followed by Soenke and the old man. Martin was also in the mix. For the 2nd beat Andre managed to tack once in the corner and had a clear lead. Greg 2nd, Lind 3rd and the ever consistent Martin 4th.

Foto: Pepe Hartmann

So overall It was Martin, Andre, Greg, Lind and Bo Rocker in the first 5. Some items of interest were that Andreas Pich launched his very nice new boat (even if he claimed that no beer was required!). We had a nice dinner with a drink or two courtesy of the organisers. It seems that this is going to be every year that each class has a dinner combined with another class. Nice idea and nice food. We had 25 sailors from 5 countries and a race officer who thought we should be sailing in danish waters. It was a shame that some had entered and decided not to show up including some Danes who were probably seasick on the way to the ferry and pussied out. (not Ossi who was actually sick and did apologise for not being there) It is important for the class that we continue to support this great regatta in probably the best sailing venue on the German coast. For those of us who love some waves and wind it is just the best place. For those who are a bit unsure you should try it sometime. I guarantee you will come in smiling after some of the best rides of your life.
All in all it was fun and I have to say it is great to see Martin back on form for a well deserved win.
Greg