Unstable wind conditions brought the Lasers, Laser Radial, Finns and the 470 men an unexpected rest day. Those who wanted to stay ahead had it good. Those who had to catch up were disappointed. Elsewhere, such as in the windsurfers, 49ers and 470 women, there was a full programme, and it was anything but easy. The keys to success were patience, strong nerves and concentration. Sailing Team Germany was able to book a total of five race wins, even though Heiko Kröger, for example, had to surrender his lead in the 2.4 mR class. This means that the cards for today's medal races (all classes with at least one German representative) are mixed.
Exciting, beautiful and rare for German fans: Simon Grotelüschen and Philipp Buhl go into today's final battle for victory in the lasers from first and second place and will definitely collect valuable points in the Olympic qualification. Who will make it in the end will probably only be decided in Australia in December. Franziska Goltz has gradually worked her way forward in the Laser Radial and established herself in 5th place. However, she has no free game today because Lisa Fasselt is breathing down her neck despite her disqualification in the last race.
In the Star, Robert Stanjek/Frithjof Kleen are still ahead of the Germans in fourth place and even have a chance of making the podium, but will have to be careful not to lose sight of their STG colleagues Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy and Alexander Schlonski/Matthias Bohn, who are right behind them and within striking distance. "Today was the most difficult race of the entire regatta," Stanjek breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Fortunately, we made the right decisions, so we are very satisfied." The favourites to win are the Swedes Fredrick Lööf/Max Salminen, who took it easy in the last race yesterday.
In the women's 470, Kathrin Kadelbach/Friederike Belcher moved into second place yesterday with a race win in the last race, two points behind the leading Americans and two ahead of the strong sailing duo Tina Lutz/Susann Beucke. A tingling starting position. Among the windsurfers, Toni Wilhelm and Moana Delle, who are both in second place in their respective classes, can seal their Olympic credentials with podium finishes. Delle could even win, but she would have to beat the leading Australian Jessica Crisp, who at 42 is a whole 20 years older - and more experienced.
There is also excitement in the 49er battle, which Lennart Briesenick-Pudenz/Morten Massmann are keeping open with a race win at the end. In fourth place, they are only two points behind Tobias Schadewaldt/Johannes Baumann, who were already the best Germans in Weymouth. In the men's 470, sixth-placed Lucas Zellmer/Heiko Seelig and their STG colleagues Ferdinand Gerz/Patrick Follmann, who are just one point ahead of them, are battling it out to maximise their qualification points. In the Paralympic 2.4mR, the slight downward trend continued for Kröger, who had been the leader until yesterday, dropping back to second place behind Great Britain's Megan Pascoe with two moderate results for him. In the women's match race, Silke Hahlbrock lost 3:2 to American Genny Tulloch in the quarter-finals. In the end, Team Hahlbrock had to settle for a disappointing eighth place.
The medal races start at 10.30am today. Finn and RS:X women will kick things off.
To the Event page and the Results.
Video summary of the 4th day on Facebook.
