The series of perfect sailing days for Warnemünde Week continued on the third day - at least almost. The three Ilca classes, the OK dinghies and the 505s were sent over the courses with a tight programme on the four courses. Only the silver fleet of the Ilca 6 weakened somewhat. It only managed one race in the breaking wind. The 505s, on the other hand, even completed three races and then crowned their Warnemünde Week 2025 winners, with Düsseldorf's Jan-Philipp Hofmann and Felix Brockerhoff celebrating their third consecutive annual success in the Europa Cup.
Dominance in the 505 class
With a win, a second and a fourth place at the end of the regatta, the 505 dominators Hofmann/Brockerhoff still had a few stains on their previously clean slate. However, this did not change their superior overall victory. "We didn't quite find our speed today," reported helmsman Jan-Philipp Brockerhoff. But that didn't dampen his joy: "It was a great regatta. We put in a top performance. But everything was also perfect here in terms of the race organisation and everything around it," said the helmsman, who was very satisfied with the Warnemünde Week success in the European Cup winning series after the top placings in France and Italy.
The duo's recipe for success was described by foresailor Felix Brockerhoff as follows: "Communication is very important. We talk quite a lot during the race, about how he is steering and what I think we need to do. Technique and tactics are a constant topic for us." With this attitude and the successes behind them, they are heading confidently towards the European Championships in Spain in October.
Exciting developments in other classes
The picture at the top of the OK Dinghy European Championship is slowly taking shape - with Britain's Charlie Cumbley in the lead. André Budzien from Schwerin recorded a win and a fourth place on the second day of the European Championships. "I guess that's what you call a close call," commented Budzien on his victory in the first day's race. Budzien now ranks fifth in the overall classification, has only single-digit results in the 109 starters and is therefore within striking distance of the absolute top.
Ilca classes in focus
Ole Schweckendiek steadfastly ignores a persistent cold in the Olympic Ilca7 class. The physical weakness was not noticeable to the man from Kiel, at least on the water. With a second place and a race win, he moved into first place overall, replacing his team-mate Julian Hoffmann at the top. The Allgäuer had to cope with a 14th and a 17th place and is now third. Between the two Germans is Frenchman Alexandre Kowalski, who is probably Ole Schweckendiek's only remaining rival in Tuesday's final.
The results on the Ilca6 track were shaken up on day three. The Dane Mads Wegener Larsen benefited from the failures of the previous top performers Levian Büscher (Düsseldorf) and Anna Munch (Denmark). After his victory in the first race, he could even afford a 20th place, but still moved into the top position. His closest rivals are Josip Tafra and Petra Marendic from Croatia. Levian Büscher is the best German in fifth place, with Anna Munch, who came fourth in the World Championships, in ninth place.
Up-and-coming talent in the Ilca4 class
There is also a new leader in the Ilca4. In the junior class, no-one can do without a strike result. That's why the greatest consistency in the series pays off. And that is currently the case for Cassandra Jansch from Hamburg. A second and a 13th place led her to the front. "The wind and waves didn't go together, especially in the second race. The wind was already very weak, but the wave was still there. That didn't make it easy," reported the 14-year-old schoolgirl.
However, her expectations are growing with her current position: "A medal here would be nice - definitely in the U16 age group. There are no other big goals this year. But next year I'd like to go to the World Championships, and then we'll see what happens in Ilca6." A lot is still possible on the final day in Ilca4, as Kaya Üner (Turkey) and Wesse Brink (Netherlands) follow the leading German within a narrow points gap.
