After three good days on the Mecklenburg waterfront, the finale was an excellent day of sailing for the 300 or so sailors taking part in the Europa Cup as part of the Warnemünde Week. Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Turkey won medals - as did Germany in all three classes.
Double success in the Ilca-7 narrowly missed
The German team dominated the action in the Olympic Ilca-7 class. Ole Schweckendiek from Kiel secured the overall victory early with a win in the first race of the day. With a 16th place in the last race, he was able to round off his triumph in a relaxed manner. Frenchman Alexandre Kowalski followed in second place, narrowly beating Julian Hoffmann from the Allgäu. Hoffmann had tried everything once again on the final day and finished ahead of Kowalski in both of the day's races. In the end, however, the 22-year-old had two points too many on his account, but secured third place.
National coach Alexander Schlonski was satisfied with the results of his protégés. He saw the performances as good preparation for the upcoming highlights of the season with the European Championships and Junior World Championships. Julian Hoffmann himself was also positive: "With fifth and fourth place today, it was a solid day. The focus during Warnemünde Week was on working on the starts and getting through without any early starts. That worked out well. It was also about keeping an overview in a large fleet and assessing the field. I think I'm well on track for the European Championships in Marstrand."
Double success in Ilca-6 for Denmark
Denmark put in an impressive performance at the Ilca6 and secured the podium twice. Mads Wegener Larsen from Aarhus confidently defended his lead from the previous day with a third and a second place on the final day. This victory follows on seamlessly from his recent successes, having already won the Yes Regatta off Kiel and finished twelfth at the World Championships.
After a disqualification the day before, his compatriot Anna Munch, fourth in the World Championships, fought her way up to second place with a fifth place and a win on the day. German Levian Büscher completed the Ilca6 podium in third place. The man from Düsseldorf, who recently won Kiel Week and finished tenth at the World Championships, put in a strong performance on the final day with a win and a fourth place.
Turkish triumph in the Ilca-4
In the Ilca4 class, young Turkish talent Kaya Üner scored a major coup. With a consistent series of top ten finishes, the sailor from Istanbul prevailed against Cassandra Jansch from Hamburg and Wesse Brink from the Netherlands. Üner was delighted with the conditions in Warnemünde: "They were nice races in good conditions. That suited me. I like the waves and I also liked the weather. The temperature is like spring or autumn in Istanbul."
Upcoming challenges
Ole Schweckendiek is now focussing on the Junior World Championships in Dublin, while Julian Hoffmann has his sights set on the European Championships in Marstrand. Kaya Üner is first planning to take part in the Turkish championship before deciding whether to switch to the Ilca-6 class.
Canadian surprises in the OC
In the OK dinghy class, a young exotic sailor is shaking up the scene after three days of the European Championships. Baabii O Flower is level on points with Britain's Charlie Cumbley at the head of the field. The 28-year-old is not only one of the youngest players in the field, he is also the only Canadian taking part in the open European Championships. "I think I'm even the only Canadian sailing an OK dinghy," said the bearded man after a successful day at sea. "The OK suits me very well. I'm too light for the Finn and too heavy for the Ilca. The OK dinghy is ideally positioned in the middle. And I like the tough competition, even if I have to travel to Europe or Australia." He has only been active in the class for a year and is now preparing to win his first major title. More could follow. After the Warnemünde Week, Baabii O Flower will be travelling to England for the UK Nationals and finally to Lake Garda for the World Championships."
On the final day of the European Championships, however, his rivals will want to make life difficult for him. Cumbley, who is level on points, already knows what it's like to become world and European champion. And lurking in third place is three-time world champion André Budzien. With a good third day, the man from Schwerin has sailed himself into a medal position and would be very happy with that. "Any single-digit result in this field is top," says Budzien.
