"Unfortunately, shifting winds of around four knots didn't allow for more. But we are happy that we were able to organise a race for most of the classes," summarised Jobst Richter, Head of Organisation for the Kiel Week Regattas.
His fellow competitor Tom Ross was even active himself and sailed in the offshore sailors' welcome race. "Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry and had an early start," said Ross. A total of 120 boats started off the Hindenburgufer.
The Star boat field offers strong competition. Marc Pickel/Ingo Borkowski (Kiel/Potsdam), who have just qualified for the Pre-Olympics, finished in third place behind the Norwegians Elvind Melleby/Petter Mörland Pedersen and Alexander Hagen/Fritjof Kleen (Hamburg).
In the Paralympic 2.4mR class, local hero and gold medallist from Sydney (2000) Heiko Kröger left nothing to be desired. After two races, the man from Kiel is in first place. Laser sailor Philipp Buhl from Berlin also took first place, tied on points with Italy's Michele Regolo and Croatia's Luka Radelich.
For the surfers and Tornados, the race was postponed to the next day at 6 pm. "That's the way it is, the wind is practically our petrol, and if there's no wind, nothing works," said Tornado sailor Roland Gäbler (Tinglev).
The first races are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday. A total of three to four races per class are planned daily until Tuesday, before the final races for the medals on Wednesday.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
