If that's not a great start for regatta fans: ZDF and ARD will be travelling live to Weymouth for the start of the Olympic regatta on Sunday and will be broadcasting both Star boat races on zdfsport.de and sportschau.de from 1.30 pm local time (2.30 pm German time). The commentator on Sunday will be sailing expert Nils Kaben, known to the German sailing scene for his exciting reports from the America's Cup in Valencia or German regatta classics such as the Match Race Germany on Lake Constance.
On the first day of the two-week series under the five rings, star boat sailors Robert Stanjek and Frithjof Kleen are at the centre of the broadcast. The two Berliners are the only German crew in the hunt for a medal on Sunday. There are no German starters in either the Finn Dinghy (24 starters) or the women's Match Race (12 teams).
The 16 star boats include five world champions and three Olympic champions. The 15 top-class opponents, including three Olympic champions and six world champions, want to stand up to the German runners-up from 2011 with all-round qualities and fast boat speed. Foreskipper Frithjof Kleen explained the essence of the strategy to Yacht online shortly before the start of the first two races in Weymouth: "What's important today are clean starts, staying out of trouble. And then go full throttle!"
The picture-book area between Weymouth on the Dorset coast and the neighbouring Portland peninsula is showing its best side at the start: the sun is making the waters glisten silver, the wind is blowing at twelve to 15 knots on the two courses selected for the first day of the regatta. The Finn Dinghies complete their first race in the sailing arena "The Nothe" in front of the castle of the same name, from where the paying spectators have a magnificent view of the action. For the second race, the Finn sailors will then move out onto the north course in Weymouth Bay, where both races of the Star boats will be held. The match racers will remain on "The Nothe" throughout the day.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
