German Championship 2.4mR: 2.4mR fan Schönfeldt: "The regatta changed my life"

40 starters turned the International German Championship in the one-person keelboat 2.4mR into a sailing festival on the Wannsee. Three helmswomen and 37 skippers took part and surprised the organisers from the Seglerhaus am Wannsee club with their enthusiasm: "We hadn't expected such a big turnout. It was a very nice regatta. And everyone said that they would love to come back," said a delighted Frank Butzmann, the club manager.

Paralympic gold medallist Heiko Kröger topped the podium in this challenging boat class, which is suitable for sailors with and without disabilities, ahead of Kalle Dehler and Ulli Libor. Dehler managed to leave class king Kröger behind in two of the seven races and put some pressure on the dominator. Former Olympic medallist Ulli Libor, 80, was also able to impress with three second places. However, no one in the fleet was surprised that the experienced top sailor Heiko Kröger came out on top in the end with just eight points to his name and a seven-point lead over Kalle Dehler.

"Once again, Heiko sailed confidently," said Kalle Dehler, paying tribute to the winner, "even if we were close at times and the gaps were sometimes small. He is always very fast and remains the benchmark in this class, which is so much fun to sail. It is technically and tactically very demanding - an interesting aspect for newcomers like Frank Schönfeldt, who was sailing a class boat for the first time."

Frank Schönfeldt had to settle for 22nd place in his debut in the 2.4mR. However, with a strong third place in the fourth race, he was able to hint at his potential." Schönfeldt's conclusion after three days of racing was exuberant: "This regatta has changed my life. I've never come away from a sailing series so grounded. A third of the participants are disabled. These guys, how they manage it. Someone sails next to you without arms, drives the backstay with his toe, pulls out the Pershing with his mouth and screams in the process. It's a mystery to me how he manages that. But brilliant! He doesn't need a few seconds longer than you. That's incredibly impressive. And the whole thing is done with such nonchalance and fun that it's sensational."

The 38-time German champion in five boat classes grins mischievously and muses: "Maybe I won't hand over the class boat at all? Maybe they won't even notice?" Then he becomes serious again and says that he is thinking about buying a 2.4mR boat: "This boat class simply must never die. I'm now the 105th member of the class and I'm already planning to buy a boat. Let's see what works."

What also fascinates sailing and songwriter Frank Schönfeldt is the balance of the keelboat, which results in a high level of equality and excitement: "They all sail at the same speed. Whether woman or man. Whether 80 or 16 years old. You can't ride out. There are no physical advantages or disadvantages. Once you have set the boat up correctly, it drives itself. But you have to get to the optimum setting first. That's why all brands have them. In the end, I had them too(laughs). Unfortunately, I finished second in the last race and drove into a bed of cabbage. If I were to compete again now, I might be able to finish in the top ten... I've never left a regatta so happy. This class deserves a completely different status."

Schönfeldt, who was brought into the 2.4mR class by Ulrich Libor through his own involvement in the Conger and conversations with Schönfeldt as well as his enthusiasm for his sailmaking skills, wants to contribute to this himself in the future. Champion sailor Heiko Kröger, meanwhile, won his 17th title - an extraordinary series.

Go to the results of the IDM 2.4mR here.