144 sailors from the 36 first and second division clubs had been eagerly awaiting the first Bundesliga weekend of the season. In beautiful spring weather, they met on Berlin's Wannsee for the first showdown of the year. The most successful first division teams this weekend were helmsman Magnus Simon, Till Krüger, Matteo Wolgast and Benjamin Ahlers from Mühlenberger Segel-Club (MSC).
If you've sailed together successfully as a team before, you can quickly pick up where you left off." Magnus Simon
With 32 points after 14 of 16 planned rounds, the MSC team took the lead in the standings ahead of Münchner Yacht-Club (38 points) and the record six-time club champions from Norddeutscher Regatta Verein in Hamburg (39 points). In temperatures of around 20 degrees and in winds that weakened on the final day, but challenged the crews almost without exception with typical Wannsee turns and strongly changing strengths, the MSC team coped best.
From the very first race, Magnus Simon and his team were in top sailing form. The team hardly made any mistakes and demonstrated their winning qualities time and again with five race wins. Nevertheless, Magnus Simon remained cautious in his assessment: "We haven't practised much, but if you've sailed together successfully as a team before, you can quickly pick up where you left off." Regarding his own league plans for this season, Magnus Simon said: "I will certainly be sailing for the MSC again in the final, but it's not yet clear who will take over for the four match days in between."
Regatta sailors Neuruppin surprise as promoted team
After the first league regatta in Berlin, the Münchner Yacht-Club (MYC) is second in the table ahead of the defending champions from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV). Regatta-Segler Neuruppin, who were promoted to the upper house of the league, achieved a surprise success in the 1st German Sailing League, finishing in seventh place. Bottom of the table are the sailors from this weekend's host club Seglerhaus am Wannsee. The third-placed team from 2022 failed to get going and collected 67 heavy points in front of their home crowd.
In the 2nd Bundesliga, on the other hand, the Joersfelder Segel-Club (JSC) was able to make full use of its home advantage. The Berlin team stormed to victory with a good knowledge of the area, as many as ten race wins and a total of just 22 points. The club on the Rupenhorn (23 points) sailed into second place just behind them. The players from Seglervereinigung Itzehoe (34 points) came third in the first second league encounter.
Unfortunately, we were relegated last year. This year, it's clearly about getting back into the 1st division." Oliver Szymanski
Oliver Szymanski, helmsman for the Joersfelder Segel-Club, explained the high level of motivation for his crew: "Last year we were unfortunately relegated. This year, we are clearly aiming to get back into the 1st league. To better prepare for the match day, we also sailed the spring race here on the Wannsee and finished on the podium. That gave us the good feeling that we can play at the front here." At the bottom of the second league table is the Otterstadt Sailing Club, the only club from Rhineland-Palatinate to qualify for the league this season.
Although the hosts from VSaW had to forgo sporting success this weekend, they made a committed contribution to the success of the season opener with their race management and a varied and cheerful shore programme. A pasta party and joint barbecue strengthened the cohesion and exchange of ideas between the league clubs. At the halfway point of the regatta, all the boards of the Berlin league clubs met on Saturday and watched the races together from the jetty.
League sport is back for Travemünde Week
Sailing Bundesliga Managing Director Anke Lukosch said: "This shows how important the Bundesliga is for the many clubs in the capital with their very strong teams. We are very satisfied with this first matchday and hope for another exciting season in the best weather conditions." The second Bundesliga weekend of the still young 2023 season will take place from 28 to 30 July during Travemünde Week.
