MaiOR: "That was world champion-like" - strong ORC season opener off Kiel

A small increase in entries compared to the previous year, eight varied races over three days and two interesting podiums at the end: the MaiOR regatta challenged and inspired its participants over the long weekend. Principal Race Officer Eckart Reinke said after the closing ceremony in Kiel: "I am totally impressed by the quality of the field: it was world-class, absolutely top level."

MaiOR: new scene under construction

Eckart Reinke described what convinced the experienced regatta manager with an example: "If ten boats make a zero start in a race after a general recall in the black flag start, that speaks for an extremely high quality in the field. We were also impressed on the starting boat."

Like all big boat operators in this country, Eckart Reinke knows: "The northern European fields have had to put up with some losses due to owners switching to the Mediterranean, but a new scene is now emerging here that is really good. This includes many Danes who sail hard in a positive sense."

The two podiums of the MaiOR regatta, which was also enjoyed by the active participants, had an interesting line-up: in ORC A&B, the podium at the end of the three-day series was made up entirely of Danes. In ORC C&D, GER crews made up the top three among themselves. In the big boats, helmsman Jesper Radich, match race ace Jeppe Borch and the team on the new Danish XR41 "Formula X" (see also YACHT test) could not be beaten. As the organisers put it, they showed "master class in consistency and control".

"Dixi 4" wins the duel for third place

With five victories in the eight races and only twelve points in the MaiOR account, the "Formula X" won the early test of strength in the new season with aplomb. Her sail number was the programme: DEN 1. She was followed in second and third place by Peter Buhl's crew on the regularly successful Danish ClubSwan 42 "Sirena" and Erik Stannow's Danish X-41 "Dixi 4", whose crew once again shone tactically on the last day and made a concentrated effort to secure third place on the podium.

With Gordon Nickel, RVS boss Bertil Balser, Bendix Hügelmann and Olympic Soling silver medallist Gunnar Bahr on board "Dixi 4", many well-known German sailors worked alongside Erik Stannow to achieve success. However, Jens Kuphal's crew on the new XR41 "Exciter" was only one point short of the podium in the exciting duel for third place with "Dixi 4".

The "Exciter" owner and helmsman from the Berlin Yacht Club and his regular crew with Ocean Race sailor Robert Stanjek and boat optimiser Max Gurgel shone, especially at the halfway point. They took one win on the day and three third places, but also collected three results outside the top five. Click here for the MaiOR results in both ORC groups.

"Beautiful fields" at the start of the MaiOR season

Jens Kuphal said: "That was a top regatta! The conditions were mixed, difficult in Strander Bucht, great out in Stollergrund. Eckart Reinke and the race committee did a great job as always. This reputation also meant that many Danes visited us this time. It was a great field where top and amateur crews sailed together and had fun together."

The crucial point is that we now carry this goodness and energy forward." Jens Kuphal

On his 61st birthday, Jens Kuphal had christened his new XR41 "Exciter" with friends, crew and guests a month earlier on 3 April. He remains enthusiastic about the concept: "X-Yachts deserves a big thank you. In sporting terms, X-Yachts is the winner of this event. Sitting down in this day and age, sparing no effort or expense and setting a new trend with this boat is impressive."

MaiOR shows cohesion in the community

According to Kuphal, he was "totally satisfied" with the performance of his team and his yacht in view of the short preparation time. He knows that the MaiOR winners have been on the water since December. His crew had completed two training sessions before the MaiOR start. "Of course, you first have to tune in and familiarise yourself with a boat like this. You can sail it in several modes. You can really cruise with the boat, but you can also really perform," says Kuphal.

"The XR41 is a space miracle and a trim monster." Jens Kuphal

The "Exciter" team, for example, was unfortunate enough to catch the twelve-point penalty in race three. Positioned among the top boats at the top of the buoy, the crew decided to jibe when the wind suddenly died completely and the chasing boats passed boat after boat while Kuphal and co. had to watch almost motionless. "It was a single gesture, absurd," Kuphal said with a smile. The mishap did nothing to diminish his enthusiastic MaiOR performance.

"It got down to business at the MaiOR. If we can keep it up throughout the season, that would be great," says the Berliner, who also campaigned intensively for cohesion in the sailing scene at the christening of his boat. "This community is important to me. It's a kind of 'safe space' - that's so important in this day and age. We have to preserve that." Kuphal also used the successful start to the season to promote the upcoming season highlights.

The MaiOR kick-off is followed by the top events

Both inshore and offshore titles will be awarded at Kieler Woche from 21 to 29 June as part of the German Sailing Championship. The ORC World Championship will be held in Tallinn from 8 to 16 August. "They have built a new clubhouse and are making a huge effort," says Kuphal, promoting the ORC summit in Estonia in midsummer.

The battles for the podium in the ORC C&D group at the MaiOR series were fought among German boats. Torsten Bastiansen's X-35 "Sydbank" took four daily victories in eight races, including two on the final day. The boat from Flensborg Yacht Club came out on top in the battle for group victory with just eleven points to its name against Torsten Habicht and Eike Claas Carmincke's Mat 1010 "Matchbox" (17 points). Kai Haupthoff's "Varuna X Press" (19 points) sailed to third place.