DN Ice Sailing: Jablonski ice-cold to World Championship silver and European Championship bronze

DN ice sailors have to be flexible. Anyone who sails at a high level in DN sleds knows this. Regatta venues are often arranged at short notice - or moved just as quickly because there is not enough ice at the originally planned venue and it is better elsewhere. This was supposedly the case at this year's World and European Championships. Instead of sailing for the titles and medals in Poland, the two combined competitions were moved to Sweden at short notice.

DN Ice sailing: a collision costs Jablonski the World Championship title

But the realisation there: first there was no wind, then the announcement "No ice in Sweden, no racing - no ice in Sweden, no racing." But hard-water sailors need ice and Karol Jablonski stated: "The spontaneous and ill-considered decision to move the World Championships from Poland to Sweden was a mistake. They reacted too hectically. That cost us four days."

So, the convoy of speedy DN sailors made their way back to Poland, where both title fights were held in a compact format on Lake Buckow in West Pomerania. After five world championship races, Karol Jablonski narrowly missed out on his 13th world championship gold as the new vice world champion.

"A collision in the second race, which was not my fault, cost me a place in the top three in the race. That would have been enough to win the world championship," reported Karol Jablonski. At the same time, however, he also said: "I'm still very happy with my performance. Rasmus Maalinn won, the last race was decisive - unfortunately the wind didn't deal the cards in my favour." With the results 2, (37), 1, 1 and 9, Jablinski won his fifth World Championship silver medal.

European Championships in DN sledging: only three runs possible

The new runner-up was five points short of gold with a total of 13 points. The world champion was 26-year-old Rasmus Maalinn (8 points) from Estonia. His 40-year-old compatriot Argo Voorema took world championship bronze with 20 points. The best DN result under the German flag at the World Championships was achieved by 38-year-old Andi Lachenschmid (69 points) from the Munich Yacht Club in 20th place, two points ahead of Jost Kolb (71 points) from BSV Steinhude in 21st place. Click here for the final results of the World Championships.

Shortly after the World Championships with 103 starters from twelve nations, the European Championships with 98 DN sleds began on the same lake. DN ice sailors are used to making the most of their opportunities. This time they had to do so in just three races on a single day. Rasmus Maalinn (9 points) took the title in the European DN competition ahead of Poland's Lukasz Zakrzewski (18 points). Karol Jabonski won European bronze with 19 points and, like Rasmus Maalinn, finished the high-calibre double event with two medals.

"I'm really happy with my performance. Light, shifty winds made life difficult for me, especially after the sprint start," explained Karol Jablonski after the European Championships. Even without gold this year, his record means that he will remain the class king for the foreseeable future and said with a view to his own age: "I pushed my endurance to the limit." Ice sailing remains a magnet for Jablonski, whose attraction he has followed again and again for half a century.

A DN adrenaline rush across the ice

What fascinates the former America's Cup helmsman, Admiral's Cup winner with the German team and match race expert so much about ice sailing? "It's the speed, but above all the close battle for metres at high speed. With speeds of up to 130 km/h and lots of adrenaline, there's not much time to make decisions. And then it's not just the commitment on the race course that counts, but also the choice of equipment, especially the runners."

It's a miracle that I can still compete at the highest level with younger people at my age." Karol Jablonski

He is "already fit", but at the same time knows that he has "no chance against the younger riders at the sprint starts". That's why he always has to "catch up during the races" with tactical and strategic goodness. The secret of Jablonski's enduring class? "This sport keeps me fit, builds up my stamina. It teaches me to recognise my limits and overcome my weaknesses. The recovery afterwards just takes a little longer."

DN sailor Anja Fiedler achieves GER top result

Anja Fiedler from TSV Schilksee was the best German competitor at the European Championships among both men and women. The fastest GER sailor on runners secured 21st place in the field of 98 DM competitors with 17th, 23rd and 23rd places. The experienced Bernd Zeiger sailed to 32nd place in the European Championship programme, which was severely compressed to three races and could not be continued due to too much wind and rain. Here it goes to the EM resultswhich, like the World Championship results, can be found on three pages for the gold, silver and bronze fleets.