The intensive sailing Sunday was followed by an equally demanding sailing Monday: a full sailing programme was once again completed today at Kiel Week. For many classes, four races were held on the short courses for the second time in a row. "We achieved everything we set out to do," said Head of Organisation Dirk Ramhorst with satisfaction, "and it was very challenging with the shifting winds and a choppy wave on the courses towards Eckernförde." The stormy start on Saturday with many total cancellations has long since been made up for. In addition, weather expert Meeno Schrader gave an overall optimistic forecast: "The wind will not let us down until the end of Kiel Week."
After a five-year dry spell, Kieler Woche record winner Wolfgang Hunger set course for his 22nd title on the third day. After eight races, he has taken the lead in the 505 boat class. In his home waters on Monday, the orthopaedic surgeon from Strande, who is in the same boat as his regular co-skipper Julien Kleiner, finished 1st, 3rd, 2nd and 8th to take the overall lead. The final will be held on Tuesday. At his 26th Kieler Woche start, seven-time world champion Hunger wants to finally win again. Before the last three races, Hunger's former co-skipper Holger Jess was in second place in the fleet of 36 planing dinghies. This year, the European champion from Eckernförde will be competing with Australian Michael Quirk and could challenge Hunger/Kleiner for the title. "We're faster, he's more experienced," says Jess, "it's going to be an exciting final on Tuesday. Four teams still have a chance of winning." Jess' helmsman is also the World President of the 505 class and is delighted with the international upswing in fast dinghies: "The development internationally is very good, Germany is lagging behind a little. New, good people are coming into the class." Boat dealer Jess attributes the weak phase of the German 505s primarily to the Bundesliga: "We're losing a lot of young people here because nobody wants to struggle in the dinghy anymore. But that will take its toll on the clubs in the coming years."
Jan Kurfeld from Wismar also shines in the international half of Kiel Week. The 31-year-old leads the world-class field of 61 boats in the OK class. After four daily victories in seven races, he is ahead of two Danes, although he only switched to the OK dinghy last year after an initial enthusiastic encounter. Kurfeld now has his sights set on the home World Championships at Warnemünde Week and has already announced his ambitions for Kiel Week. "I want to sail for a medal at the World Championships," says Kurfeld, who is ahead of world number one Bo Petersen (Denmark) before the final and is therefore a hot German prospect for the home World Championships. His training partner Andre Budzien, the two-time OC World Champion, will be absent from Kiel, but also wants to attack in Warnemünde.
The sailors in the 13 international classes finish their regattas on Tuesday. The Olympic sailors take over on Wednesday. Click here for the results.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
