Only two regattas have been on this year's sailing programme so far, and without much training, Jan von der Bank didn't expect too much in the Contender. But then the Kiel veteran struck at the start of the international half of the 125th Kieler Woche.
"I have sore muscles from the grin," beamed von der Bank in the press conference. "I totally collapsed in the fourth race and had to let Bonezzi past," the 40-year-old flattered.
It wasn't just the bench that was beaming that evening. Organisation manager Jobst Richter was also more than satisfied with the successful race day. All 16 classes had four races each. "64 races on the triangular courses and four races in the X35 World Championship make for a marvellous day of sailing," said Richter. Three races are scheduled for each class on Saturday. The X-35 World Championship ends with the award ceremony on Saturday evening.
"Kiel somehow suits me particularly well, and I think withdrawal motivates me now," said von der Bank, explaining the enormous series against a field that is particularly strong this year, because many Contender sailors want to take their boats straight from Kiel to Medemblik to take part in the World Championship there in a fortnight's time. This makes Banks' success all the more impressive. Bonezzi, the eight-time and reigning world champion, will also be competing in Kiel. But according to the statistics, it is von der Bank's turn to win Kieler Woche again this year anyway. Since 2002, von der Bank and Bonezzi have alternated with the gold medal in Kiel. Since then, it has been the German's turn in odd-numbered years.
Two crews, who have won the Kieler Woche 15 times, also showed themselves to be confident in their bid to wrest the title of the sailor with the most Kieler Woche victories from Gerd Eiermann (Duisburg): Wolfgang Hunger/Holger Jess (Kiel/Wittensee/14 Kieler Woche titles to date) in the 505 and the Danish brothers Jörgen and Jakob Bojsen-Moeller in the Flying Dutchman, who have secured the Kieler Woche title twelve times to date. The Danes managed three wins and a second place, Hunger/Jess made a "false start" with a tenth place. But three victories afterwards led to the familiar picture.
In Formula 18, reigning world champions Helge and Christian Sach (Zarnekau) emphasised that they want to secure at least one title here in Kiel. After finishing second in the Tornado in the Olympic half, they are confidently leading the Formula 18 standings with four wins on the day.
After the first races in the OK dinghy, former champion Karsten Hitz (Segeberg), who won the 1988 Kiel Week in this former cult class and has been at the top of the Kiel podium eight times since then, is in the lead.
In addition to the Sach brothers, Jan von der Bank and Hunger/Jess, DSV crews are also leading in the J24, Folkeboot, Hobie 16, 420, Pirat and Benétéau 25 classes. In the Dragon, the Bavarian Werner Fritz is leading under the Ukrainian national flag.
