Winds of three to four Beaufort pushed the fleet of sea-going yachts out of Eckernförde Bay on the 20 nautical mile course. After two hours and 49 minutes, as on the previous day, Gerhard Clausen's "Calypso" was the first yacht to cross the finish line at the Kiel lighthouse. It was followed shortly behind by the "X-Day" of skipper Lars Hückstädt (Plön), which took the calculated victory in the ORC 1 classification group.
On Sunday evening, the winners in a total of twelve categories were honoured on the stage of the Audi Sailing Arena in Schilksee's Olympic Centre. The winners' ceremony was the grand finale of the Aalregatta, which offered a new welcome for the athletes at the halfway point with a stop in Eckernförde. Instead of the city harbour, they went to SC Eckernförde (SCE). The athletes felt completely at home there and celebrated together until late into the night.
Party in Eckernförde
"The concept was a complete success. SC Eckernförde created a great atmosphere. There was a culinary mile, the band United Four played, there was dancing in the hall and the crews sat together cosily over a beer in front of it. Breakfast was also provided the next morning. It was perfect," said race director Ralf Paulsen, delighted that the crews had been so warmly welcomed after a tough Saturday at sea.
The first race had taken its toll on the participants with winds of six to seven Beaufort and steep waves. There was a quadruple mast break and a torn mainsail on the participating multihulls. The rudder blade on an X-79 broke off. An H-boat sailor injured his hip. The race organisers, an emergency doctor from the water rescue service and the DGzRS sea rescuers worked closely together to provide him with medical care, remove him and finally take him to hospital. The all-clear was quickly given for the injured man after his hip was set. The other incidents involving the abandonment of the race also went smoothly, so that Ralf Paulsen was able to conclude: "Everyone was happy!"
Results: Eel Regatta Kiel - Eckernförde
ORC 1: "Surprise", Marie Becker (Kieler YC)
ORC 2: "Dixi 4", Erik Stanow (Denmark)
ORC 3: "Patent 4", Jürgen Klinghardt (Lübecker YC)
ORC 4: "Max", Eckart Pirwitz (SCB Kiel)
ORC 3 DH: "Rentnerbank", Lorenz Jensen (MSC Hamburg)
ORC 4 DH: "Jynx", Patrik Heinrichs (SLRV)
YS blue: "North", Philipp Mann (Kieler YC)
YS green: "Snigs", Oliver Voss (Kieler YC)
YS yellow: "Varuna", Jan-Dirk Grimm (WV Wulsdorf)
YS red: "Carlotta", Rüdiger Fuchs (MSC Hamburg)
YS DH: "NiJo", Thomas Visser (SV Friedrichsort-Kiel)
YS MH: "Sway", Jens Röhrßen (SV Weser)
Eel Regatta Eckernförde - Kiel
ORC 1: "X-Day", Lars Hückstädt (Plöner SV 1908)
ORC 2: "Piranha", Christian Rönsch (Kieler YC)
ORC 3: "Maiko", John Victorin (ASV Warnemünde)
ORC 4: "Trophyfee", Clemens Schrage (YC Möhnesee)
ORC 3 DH: "Josephine", Michael Kock (Schwentine FS)
ORC 4 DH: "Jynx", Patrik Heinrichs (SLRV)
YS blue: "Rujo", Jörg Heitmann (WSCE Kiel)
YS green: "Greyzone", Sven Petersen (SV Arnis 81)
YS yellow: "China Girl", Rainer Görge (Schilkseer YC)
YS red: "Carlotta", Rüdiger Fuchs (MSC Hamburg)
YS DH: "Rémy", Jan von der Bank (TSV Schilksee)
YS MH: "Sway", Jens Röhrßen (SV Weser)
