International Sailing

Bad luck with the weather for the over 600 sailors at the 2013 'Young European Sailing' Regatta in Kiel, as after a rainy night, the wind was very light on day 2, and only one race by class or less was possible. The 420 have no valid results after two days. The 29er rankings have no value as only half of the fleet completed two races. As for the Lasers, the leaders are Philipp Kasüske GER in the Standards, Chiara Steinmüller in the Radials and Markus Kirketerp DEN in the 4.7. All results and the report of the day.

An up to 25 kn breeze prevailed on Lake Constance yesterday morning to bring the quarter finals to a successful end, but afterwards, the wind stalled and kept the teams waiting until late in the afternoon to initiate the semi finals. Both matches, Mathieu Richard FRA vs Adam Minoprio NZL and Ian Williams GBR vs Johnie Berntson SWE, are tied 1-1 for the moment. Today is the crucial day of this first Act of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour at Langenargen. The report and the results.

No Warm-up in La Rochelle FRA yesterday at the Finn World Masters 2013, as the weather was almost winter-like with a very fresh breeze and low temperatures for the season, as never encountered in the last four Finn Masters, leaving ample time for the 284 Finn sailors to celebrate the comradeship, an important part of the event, ashore. The first start is now planned for 2 p.m. CET, and 8 races are planned until next Friday. The news, the updated entry list and the official website.

Close racing in the semi finals at St- Quay-Portrieux FRA between Lucy MacGregor GBR defeating Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED, respectively the local Julie Bossard FRA with the upper hand on Stephanie Roble USA. The final went in favor of MacGregor, having lead the classifications as from day one of the Round Robins, with a 3-1 score. Roble USA completed the podium winning the Petite Final against Zuiderbaan NED. The news and the rankings.

The Tornado Europeans on Lake Constance ended yesterday with two races sailed in the freshest breeze so far. Jordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis GRE booked two bullets, but not enough to replace Roland and Nahid Gaebler GER on top of the rankings to defend the title. Nikolas Mavros/Alexandros Tagaropoulos GRE finished third. The final rankings and the short report.

Lack of wind and a thick fog delayed the starts and upcoming thunderstorms lateron limited racing on the first day of the Young European Sailing Regatta in the Bay of Kiel. Racing was only possible on the courses close to the shore. Winners of the only race in the 29ers were Jasper Steffens/Tom-Lennart Brauckmann GER ahead of Christian Wolte/... GER and Ole Kuck/Niklas Kath GER. Sailing were also the Europes with Sverre Reineke GER as winner of the only heat. On top of the Lasers 4.7 is Philipp Steenbuck GER in front of Hannah Andersohn GER. All entry lists and the report of the day.

Sun and a 7-12 kn wind prevailed yesterday on Lake Constance for the conclusion of the Round Robin with Ian Williams GBR as winner, directly qualified for the semi finals. Mathieu Richard FRA, Taylor Canfield ISV, Björn Hansen SWE, Adam Minoprio NZL, Johnie Berntsson SWE and Karol Jablonski POL fight for the remaining three semi final places today. Among the eliminated teams is also the world nbr 3 Pierre-Antoine Morvan FRA. The first duels for the semi final have been completed with Johnie Berntsson SWE leading 2-0 vs Taylor Canfield ISV, while Richard FRA and Jablonski POL as well as Minoprio NZL and Hansen SWE are tied 1-1 each. The report and the results.

Lucy McGregor GBR, Stephanie Roble USA, Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED and Julie Bossard FRA are the semi finalists in the French Match Race Championship today. The ranking ant the reports.

Four races were completed on the second day of the Tornado Europeans on Lake Constance. After two more bullets, the advantage of Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER as first in the overall rankings is now 5 points on Iordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis GRE. Mavros/Taragopulos GRE are 3rd of the 31 teams. The results.

A record-size 309 Finn fleet from 30 nations and 4 continents begins its Masters Championship (40+) today. The favorite is again the defending champion and 4-times Olympian Michael Maier CZE. The entry list and the preview (in French).

Ideal conditions prevailed on Lake Constance on day two of the Match Race Germany with a 10-15 kn West wind. Four duels of the Round Robin are still pending, an interesting constellation, as the first three teams - Ian Williams GBR, Mathieu Richard FRA and Taylor Canfield ISV - are tied on top of the interim's rankings with 7 wins each, and the winner will qualify directly for the semi final. The ranks 2 to 7 will fight for the remaining three places in the semis. The invited German development teams of Philpp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER are out. The results and the report of the day.

Round Robin 2 of the French Women's Match Race Championship is almost terminated at the French Northern Bretagne Coast. Lucy McGregor GBR keeps rank 1 with a 12-2 wins' score followed by Julie Brossard FRA and Stephanie Roble USA with 11-4. The results and the daily report.

Two races were sailed yesterday at the Tornado European Championship 2013 on Lake Constance in well-established Westerly breeze. Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER were the winners in both heats, ahead of the defending champions Paschalidis/Trigonis GRE. 31 teams participate. The short report and the results.

The constant breeze on Lake Constance granted a very busy first day at Act one of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour off Langenargen, where five flights of Round one were completed. Three teams - Pierre-Antoine Morvan FRA, Ian Williams GBR and Mathieu Richard FRA - lead on the results table with 4-1 scores. In difficulties however the invited German development teams of Phikipp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER at the end of the rankings. Buhl had the upper hand in the direct duel of these teams. All results and the report of the day.

Round Robin one has almost been completed at the French Women's Match Racing Championship on day one of the event. As expected, Lucy McGregor GBR is the clear leader with a 7-0 score ahead of Klaartje Zuiderbaan NED, 6-1, and Stephanie Roble USA, 6-2. The results, the report and the event-website.

69 A-Cats started to the French A-Cat Champions in the Bay of Hyères over the past weekend. Five races were completed, partially in a strong Mistral breeze. Overall winner was Bob Baier GER ahead of Chris Field GBR and Eugenio Calabria ITA. But the most spectacular appearance was Mischa Heemskerk NED, who finally got his A-Cat equipped with foils thru the measurement control. Inspite of the modifications asked for by the measurers, he succeeded to make his A-Cat fly. He won the last two races and finished 6th overall. The results and the report.

Today begins the Tornado European Championship off Fussach at the Austrian shore of Lake Constance. 33 teams from 8 nations participate. This year again, the defending champions Paschalidis/Trigonis GRE and their first challengers Roland and Nahid Gäbler GER will be the teams to beat for the title. Chances for a place on the podium are also with Martin and Julia Rusterholz SUI. The event-website.

Today begins the first Act of the 2013 World Match Race Tour - reduced to six events - on Lake Constance. The wind forecast announces mostly light winds, a special challenge with the rather heavy Bavaria 40S requiring smooth steering under the given conditions. The entry list contains most of the top matchracers such as Ian Williams GBR, Björn Hansen SWE, Adam Minorpio NZL or Mathieu Richard FRA. Two young German helmsmen - Philipp Buhl GER and Sven-Erik Horsch GER - have been invited as well. The latest Communiqué.

Today is the first day of the French Women Match Racing Championship at the Breton North Coast. Key favorite is Lucy McGregor GBR, the nbr 4 of the World Ranking list. Julie Brossard FRA, nbr 10, and Alexa Bezel SUI, nbr 14, are the next ISAF ranked participants. The Championship will take place on Elliotts 6, the former Olympic women's matchrace boat. The entry list and the event-website.

Over the past weekend, the ISAF Council and the Events Committee met in Copenhagen for the 2013 Midyear Meeting of the International Sailing Federation. The Agenda of the Meeting, led for the first time by the new President Carlo Croce ITA were mostly ISAF internal house-keeping items. The structure of the Organisation, number of Committees and the decision-making proces shall be improved in the future. Communication and an improved media approaches shall help to make sailing, especially the Olympic Classes Worldcup, a recognised product to sell our sport. This is high time in our opinion, as the confusing Olympic events policy and the race format experiments far from the real needs of the sport have done much harm to Olympic sailing, and the decreasing participation in major events with classes not racing due to lack of entrants this confirms this, ... impossible in other Olympic sports ! Time will tell whether the President's report will revitalise ISAF.

No change on top of the Match Race World Rankings: Ian Williams GBR and Claire Leroy FRA stay on rank 1. While the Open Ranking remain quite stable, there are major changes in the women's rankings, as the retired 2012 Olympic Games campaigners disappear more and more in the classifications. The long-time nbr 1 Anna Tunnicliffe is now on 3rd. The ISAF report.

The first event of the 2013 World Match Racing Tour, taking place over the Whitsun weekend off Langenargen/Lake Constance, begins today with the free training sessions. And again this year, the defending champion Ian Williams is the major favorite for the title. Among the participants on the entry list are the former Tour winners Adam Minoprio NZL and Matthieu Richard FRA. The official preview.

A rainy weekend with good West wind conditions prevailed over the past weekend on Lake Constance. The eight classes particpating at the Monfort-Cup sailed 8 races each. A the same time, this regatta was the first event of the 2013 Platu Alps Cup. Matthias Bermejo SUI and his 'Super-Büsi'-Team were first among the 15 Platus, ahead of Tom Studer SUI and André Teutenberg GER. Winner in the Sportboat rankings was Lutz Gärtner GER on a J/80, and the ORC-classification went to Eckard Kaller GER on a J/V 37. The results.

The Garda Olympic Week ended yesterday with the Medal Races, sailed in a moderate 10 to 14 kn breeze. The new format carries the total result of the Qualification and Final Series forward to the results of the short Medal Races. No wonder, that in some classes major throw overs happened such as in the 49ers - the only ones with three Medal Races - where Markus Hansen/Josh Porebski NZL climbed on top with constant race results ahead of Frei/Rocherieux FRA and Angilella/Zucchetti ITA. The clear dominators of the week Delle-Karth/Resch AUT had to content themselves with rank 4. An Austrian triumph was to note however in the Nacra 17 with Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT in front of Waterhouse/Darmanin NZL and Bissaro/Sicouri ITA. While Damian Rijsselberge NED defended his first place in the RS:X male windsurfers, the day was disappointing for Byrony Shaw GBR in the RS:X women who was overtaken by Flavia Tartaglini ITA, the winner of the Medal Race. Change also on top of the 470 women where Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL moved on top ahead of Tina Mrak/Veronica Macarol SLO on the last day. No problem to hold their lead had Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men, adding another race win in the Medal Race. Ed Wright remained first in the Finns followed by Ivan Klijakovic CRO and Piotr Kula POL. The videos of the Medal Races and the event-website.

A solid 12-14 kn Ora breeze prevailed for the Laser Medal Races at the Garda Olympic Week. The new results format carries the total result after the Qualification and Final Series as one result forward to the Medal Race rankings.
Annalise Murphy IRL (who did not even make the Goldfleet in Hyères due to the prevailing light wind) left no doubt about her class her and clearly stayed on top with another race win in the Medal Race of the Lasers Radial ahead of Tuula Tenkanen FIN and Tina Mihelic CRO.
A big throw over however happened in the Lasers Standard, where the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS, outstanding dominator during the whole week, lost all on the last ('casino') day and finished on rank 5 ! Andy Maloney NZL took rank 1 followed by Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Ryan Palk AUS. The videos of the Medal Races and the report.

Four race wins on the last day lifted Damian Suri SUI on top of the Optimist rankings at the Dutch Youth Regatta - at the same time the Netherlands Optimist Championship - attended by 406 sailors from 15 nations. At equal points on rank 2 follows Scipio Houtman NED, Lennert Steelandt BEL is on 3rd. The best girl Esmée Van Drielen NED is 7th. The results. Winner in the younger Benjamin Optimists is Yigit Citak TUR ahead of Alvaro Valido ESP and Valentin Müller GER. 117 participants. Another Swiss victory is to note in the Lasers 4.7 with David Biedermann SUI. Quentin Swaelen BEL and Timo Gruis NED follow on the ranks 2 and 3. In the Lasers Radial, Van Aanholt, a famous name of Laser Sailing in the late 70s of the last Century, is showing up again with Just Van Aanholt AHO as winner. 43 participants from 4 nations. All other results - 10 youth classes in total particpated - and the event-website.

Pouring rain and no wind prevented racing on the last day of the Star Trophy on Lake Uri yesterday. The interims rankings of Saturday become therefore final with Jürg Wittich/Christian Trachsel SUI, day ranks 3 and 1, passing the defending Trophy holders Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER with the same number of points on top. Jürg Ryffel/Alex Gouda SUI follow on rank 3 of the 26 teams from 4 nations. The video of the day and the final rankings (PDF).

Round two of the Melges 32 European Series ended yesterday on Elba ITA with three more races. Winner in this owner-driven class was Lanfranco Cirillio ITA with Michele Paoletti ITA as tactician. Edoardo Lupi/Pietro Sibello ITA and Andrea Pozzi/Lorenzo Bressani ITA are on the positions 2 and 3. Prominent tacticians such Vasco Vascotto ITA, Hamish Pepper NZL or Mark Mendelblatt USA participated. The report and the results.

No change in the last races in the top ranks at the Yngling Swiss Championship on Lake Thourne. Thorsten Schutt/Robert-Jan Kentgens/Kaj Morwinski GER are the Champions ahead of Klaus Diem AUT and his team. The race for the best Swiss team ended in favor of Colin Nussbaum/Thomas Huber/Christian Frey SUI as 3rd just one point ahead of Rico Gregorini SUI and his team as 4th. 27 teams from 3 nations participated. The final rankings.

The European Championships of the Paralympic Skud-18 and different Access Classes ended yesterday on Lake Constance in the freshest breeze so far of 10-15 kn. Winning all six heats in the Skud 18, Alexandra Rickham/Nuki Birell GBR confirmed their role as favorites and finished clearly on top. First in the single hander Access 303 (28 participants) was Gilles Guyon FRA ahead of Joao Pinto SUI. The first position in the Access 303 (double) are Zoltan Pegan/Eva Mirczev HUN closely followed by Joshua Rothenhäusler/Dominique Scheller SUI. All ranking lists, the video of the last day and the final report (PDF).

Favorable sailing conditions prevailed on the last day of the GC32 catamaran Austria Cup of their Regatta World Premiere. Six teams shared the three cats built so far. Adding two more bullets, Adam Minoprio NZL took the overall win ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI who finished 2nd overall thanks to a 2nd race ran. The video of the day and final report.

The Final Series of the Garda Olympic Week were concluded yesterday in a Northerly breeze with up to four races by class. As from today, the Medal Races of the best 6-8 boats per class are on the program. With a 15 points' advance, Ed Wright GBR will not let fade away the victory in the Finns. Deniss Karpak EST and Ivan Klijakovic CRO follow on the ranks 2 and 3. Even more predominant were Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men. Barreiros/Curbelo ESP are already 26 points behind. Gerz/Follmann GER progressed on rank 3. Closer is however the situation in the 470 women, where Tina Mrak/Veroca Macarol SLO are now only one point ahead of Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL, the winners of two races yesterday. The outcome in the 49ers seems to be clear as well. Delle-Karth/Resch AUT are 21 points ahead of Januszewski/Nowak POL. Tight is the situation in the Nacras 17 with Thomas Cajak/Tanja Frank AUT only one point in front of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL. Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED in the RS:X male windsurfers and Byrony Shaw GBR in the RS:X women can also start to the Medal Races very relaxed with the results on their accounts up to now. The report of the day, all results and the videos.

Tom Burton AUS starts to today's Medal Races with a five points' advance in the Lasers Standard and only Tonci Stipanovic CRO could replace the World nbr 1 on rank 1 today. New on rank 3 is Ryan Palk AUS closely followed by Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA and Andy Maloney NZL fighting for the podium today.
Very close also the gaps between the top sailors in the Lasers Radial, where Annalise Murphy IRL defended her lead inspite of a medium day. But Tina Mihelic CRO is now only 4 points behind and also Tuula Tenkanen FIN as 3rd has still her chances to win the regatta.
The daily report, all results and the video of the day.

All classes sailed four races on the Ijssel-Meer yesterday. Scipio Houtman NED took the overall lead in the huge Optimist fleet with 3 bullets in his group. David Lucan AUT and Damian Suri SUI follow two points behind on the ranks 2 and 3. The ranking list. In the younger Optimist Benjamins, Yigit Citak TUR remains in the lead. In the Lasers 4.7, David Biedermann SUI moved up on top 3 points ahead of Timo Gruis NED. William de Smet BEL is the new leader in the Lasers Radial. All other rankings (420, 29er, Splash, RS:X, Techno293, Cadet) and the event-website.

After a long waiting ashore, the North-Westerly breeze filled in on Lake Uri with 1-2 Bft for just one race, the even had to be shorteneds. Jürg Wittich/Felix Trachsel SUI were the winners, taking the overall lead. Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER follow at equal points on rank 2, Jürg Ryffel/Alex Gouda SUI moved up on rank 3. It is uncertain whether the instable weather situation will allow for more races today. The results (PDF) and the perfectly edited video of the day.

The four Access single handers were on the water yesterday in rain and light winds. In the Access 303, Carlos Araujo ESP leads with just one point ahead of Gilles Guyon FRA. Lindsay Burns GBR is the clear leader in the Access 2.3, while Gérard Eychenne FRA is on top of the Liberty's. All other ranking lists, the event-website and the video of the day.

Five races have been completed on the first two days of the Melges 32 European Series. Lanfranco Cirillo/Michele Paoletti ITA are the leaders ahead of Filippo Pacinotti ITA/Nathan Wilmot AUS. 21 teams sailing. The results and the daily report.

Rainy weather with a solid 10 kn breeze prevailed on Lake Traun yesterday, and 16 races were sailed. The leader before today's final races in the 6 boats' fleet is Adam Minoprio NZL 5 points ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI. The report.

Finishing 2nd in the final race yesterday, Markus Wieser GER sailing for the Ukraine, is the overall winner of the GP Guyader 3 points ahead of Thomas Müller GER. Marcus Brennecke GER finished 3rd among the 58 teams. The ranking list and the final report (French).

The Yngling Swiss Championship continued yesterday on Lake Thoune with three more races. Today - the final day with two heats on the program - will be crucial for the title between Thorsten Schutt GER and Klaus Diem AUT just one point behind. The 3rd-ranked Thomas Beck SUI follows with a backlog of already 10 points. The results.

Rain prevented the Ora from filling in on Lake Garda and only the Finns and Nacra-17 catamarans at Malcesine a couple of miles farther South down the lake were able to complete some races.
Ed Wright GBR took the lead in the Finns with the day ranks 2/2/9 followed by Filippo Baldessari ITA and Deniss Karpak EST. The Nacra-17 even sailed four heats and Thomas Cajak/Tanja Frank AUT moved on top of the rankings, in front of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL at 5 points on rank 2. Federica Salva/Francesco Bianchi ITA follow on rank 3. The weather outlook for today is improving and hopefully all classes will be able to sail according to program. All results, the video of the day and the event-website.

Rain prevented yesterday racing for the Laser fleets and after the 6 Qualification Series heats, the competition will continue today with the Final Series in Gold- and Silverfleets.
Tom Burton AUS leads in the Lasers Standard 3 points ahead of Tonci Stipanovic CRO. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA follows on rank 3. Not sailing in the Goldfleet is the superstar Robert Scheidt BRA, who - after his convincing comeback in Hyères - left Lake Garda prematurely after day one. In the Lasers Radial, it was the Weymouth 4th-ranked Olympian Annalise Murphy IRL who confirmed her fresh wind skills winning all 4 heats. She holds the lead 10 points ahead of Tuula Tenkanen FIN. The event-website.

Sad and grey was the weather as was the mood among the 60 starboat sailors learning that Andrew Bart Simpson GBR has left us in his best years in a fatal accident with the AC72 Artemis on Frisco Bay, and the participants were with him in a minute of silence. The ones that met him on the race course will never forget his open and friendly approach to anybody.
Much rain welcomed the 26 teams from 3 nations at the mountain-surrounded Lake Uri in Central Switzerland, and there was no chance for the traditional thermal breeze to build up. After some waiting hours, a surprisingly steady Westerly wind filled in and allowed to sail a race late in the afternoon in a 2 bft breeze. Philipp Rotermund/Nils Hollweg GER won the race ahead of Christoph Burger/Renato Marazzi SUI and Jürg Wittich/Felix Trachsel SUI. The results (PDF) and the video.

Only the windsurfer were sailing yesterday on the Ijssel-Meer. Superior winner in the RS:X was Matthjs Van t'Hoff NED with four bullets. In the Techno 293, Sam Wennekes NED is on top.
All ranking lists and the event-website.

The foul weather delayed racing at the Skud-18 and Access European Championships on Lake Constance to the late afternoon yesterday. The Paralympic Bronze medalists Alexandra Rickham/Niki Birrell GBR were the expected winners in both races of the SKUD-18 and lead ahead of Gualandris/Zanetti ITA and Cantelejo/Villa ESP. Also two heats were sailed by the Access 303 double, where four SUI-teams lead the rankings among the 24 teams. Joshua Rothenhäusler/Dominique Scheller SUI, day ranks 1 and 2 are on top. All other results and the event-website.

Three races were sailed yesterday on Lake Thoune in good Westerly wind conditions. Thorsten Schutt GER and his team are the new leaders closely followed by Klaus Diem AUT. Still in the race for the title remain the two locals Thomas Beck SUI and Rico Gregorini SUI on the ranks 3 and 4. The results.

Rain and light winds also on Lake Traunsee, and only late in the afternoon, two races could be sailed. Each of the 6 teams completed two heats, as the damaged third GC32 had been repaired in the meantime. Flavio Marazzi SUI and his team took the overall lead thanks to a race win. The report and the videos.

The Olympic Week continued yesterday in a well established Ora filling in with up to 16 kn in the afternoon. The Finnswere already out off Malcesine in the morning in the North wind and Giorgio Poggi ITA took the lead after the first races ahead of Deniss Karpak ESTand Michael Maier CZE. Ed Wright GBR moved up on rank 4. A class of their own remained Sime Fantela/Igor Marencic CRO in the 470 men. They are already 14 points in front of Gulic/Nevecny SLO. Crawford/Crawford AUS remain on rank 3 of the 29 teams. In the 470 women, Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol SLO stay on top but the best of the day Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL closed the gap to two points. Progressing is also the Olympic Champion 2008 Elise Rechichi AUS with her new crew Sarah Cook AUS now on rank 6 overall after the day ranks 1 and 2. In the 49ers are Delle-Karth/Resch AUT clearly on top. Januczewski/Nowak POL are now 2nd. Gemma Jones/Jason Waterhouse NZL took the lead in the Nacra-17 with two bullets. Thomas Zajac/Tanja Frank AUT follow on rank 2. Dominator in the windsurfers are Dorian van Rijsselberge NED in the men and Byrony Shaw GBR in the women. The report of the day, all ranking lists and the video of the day.

The Ora, the classic thermal South wind on Lake Garda filled in with up to 16 kn in the afternoon, and both Laser fleets completed three races. Booking three bullets, Annalise Murphy IRL is the clear leader in the Lasers Radial. Tuula Tenkanen FIN on rank 2 is already 10 points behind. Tina Mihelic CRO is now 3rd. Tatjana Droszdovskaja BLR advanced on the 4th place.
Close together are, however, the top boats in the Lasers Standard: Tom Burton AUS remains in the lead, but Tonci Stipanovic CRO is only 2 points back. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA - two bullets yesterday - and Daniel Mihelic CRO share rank 3.
All ranking lists, the daily report and the video of the day.

The breeze was not good enough on the last day of the first Slalom Worldcup 2013 to terminate the fourth elimination round. Alberto Menegatti ITA gained his first Worldcup title in his career ahead of the multiple World Champion Antoine Albeau FRA. Karin Jaggi SUI added in Ulsan KOR another Worldcup victory to her immense palmares ahead Delphine Cousin FRA. All other details on the PWA-website.

Three races were sailed yesterday on the first day of the traditional Dutch Youth Regatta on the Ijssel-Meer. A Swiss is on top of the Optimists (409 participants) with Wolf Van Cauwenberghe SUI ahead of Lennert Steelandt BEL and David Lucan AUT. Deike Bornemann GER as 5th is the best girl. First in the younger Optimist Benjamins is Igit Citak TUR. Timo Gruis NED is on top of the Lasers 4.7. 44 participants. Emma Plaeschert BEL is on top of the Lasers Radial (42 participants). Floris van de Werken/Lars van Stekelenborg NED clearly lead in the 420s with three bullets. Jennifer Poret/Lucie Scheiwiller FRA follow on rank 2. 27 teams. In the 29ers, an Indian boat is on top with Kelapanda Ganapathy/Varun Thakkar IND. All results and the event-website.

Very light winds prevailed on Lake Constance on the first day of the Access- and Skud-18-Europeans. In the morning, the single-hander Access 303, Access 2.3
and die Access Liberty sailed a race each, in the afternoon, the breeze was not strong enough for the first races of the two-person Skud-18 and Access 303. Lindsay Burns GBR was the winner in the (Access 203), Gérard Eychenne FRA in the (Liberty) and an Zoltan Pegan HUN in the (Access 303 Single). The daily report and the video of the day.

Only one race was sailed on day two of the Dragon GP Guyader at Douarnenez. Finishing 3rd, Marcus Brennecke GER took the overall lead ahead of Thomas Müller GER and Yewgenij Braslavets UKR. The ranking list.

The six teams at the Austria Cup - with only two sailable boats left - sailed two Round Robins on the second day of the event. Adam Minoprio NZL, newcomer on a multihull, remained undefeated and took the lead ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI. The report and the video of the day.

Only one race was sailed by the Finns off Malcesine while the other classes at tje upperside of Lake Garda completed 3 to 4 heats, partly with surprising results. Filippo Baldessari ITA was the winner of the only Finn race ahead of Deniss Karpak EST, while the top favorite Ivan Kljiakovic CRO began the event with a premature start. In the 470 men, Fantela/Marencic CRO are in the lead with two race wins in three races ahead of Mikulin/Bozic SLO and Crawford/Crawford AUS. In the small 470 women fleet, the leaders are Mrak/Macarol SLO while the Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL are only 5th after a disqualifcation. In the 49ers, Warrer/Lang DEN are in front of Delle-Karth/Resch AUT and Hansen/Porebski NZL. Federica Salva/Francesco Bianchi ITA are the leaders in the 20 boats' Nacra-17 fleet ahead of Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders NZL On top of the windsurfers are the Olympic Champion Dorian Van Rijsselberge NED in the men's category and Byrony Shaw GBR in the women's category. The event-website.

The Lasers sailed three races each at the Lake Garda Olympic Week with the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS taking the oveall lead in the Laser Standard with the day ranks 2/1/6, followed by Daniel Mihelic CRO and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA. Andy Maloney NZL, another favorite, is on position 4. Robert Scheidt BRA, had a bad first day and is only on rank 20 among the 103 participants from 29 nations.
Tuula Tenkanen FIN leads the ranking in the Lasers Radial, followed by Tina Mihelic CRO and Annalise Murphy IRL. The World nbr 1 Tatjana Drosdovskaya BLR is on rank 5 of the 46 paricipants from 20 nations.The event-website.

The favorable conditions from last Tuesday were followed by a slack day with very little and unconstant winds and the drivers at the PWA Slalom were forced to stay ashore. The positions after three elimination rounds are in the men's category Alberto Menegatti ITA as first while in the women's category, Karin Jaggi SUI is in the lead. The PWA-website.

The second part of the Dragon Douarnenez competition began yesterday, after part one, the Trophée de Bretagne, with the surprising Tam Nguyen HKG as winner. Two races were sailed and the first leaders are Thomas Müller/Vincent Hösch/Michael Lipp GER. Marcus Brennecke GER and Victor Fogelson RUS with their teams follow on the ranks 2 and 3. The results. 58 teams from 15 nations participate. For the IMOCA Open 60, the CLass 40 and the M34, the GP Guyader is already over. As from tomorrow, the kitesurfers (a.o. with Alexandre Caizergues FRA) will start their competitions. All results and the report of the day.

Designed in the Netherlands and built in Dubai, a new 32 foot one-design-catamaran has come to live for the first time in a World premiere on Lake Traun. Six teams have declared their interest so far, sharing the three multihulls constructed up to now. Short races and a distance race have been on the program. The prevailing 8-10 kn breeze was ideal for the mostly newcomers to catamaran sailing. After 4 duels - one cat hat to stay ashore due to a damage - the young AEZ team with Max Trippolt AUT leads ahead of Flavio Marazzi SUI, who has the firm intention to join this class. The report, the results and the video of the day.

Today begins the 'Garda Trentino Olympic Week' on Lake Garda, the first event of the 'EUROSAF Championship Sailing Cup', a series of non-Worldcup Olympic Classes regattas in Europe. With 122 participants from 33 nations, the Laser Standard fleet has an excellent attendance with the World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS, the Olympic Bronze medalist Pavlos Kontides CYP or Philipp Buhl GER as favorites. In the 470s, the winners of the Italian 470 men Championship of last week, Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI will meet a strong international competition with the past World Champions Fantela/Marencic CRO, the German Olympians Gerz/Follmann GER and four French teams.. In the Lasers Radial the Worldcup leaders Tatjana Droszdowskaja BLR and Isabelle Bertold CAN as well as the Olympia-forth Annalise Murphy IRL are the favorites. All entry lists and the event-website.

As every year, the Grand Prix Guyader is a wild mix of all kinds of classes, be it the Dragons, the 'Tour-de-France'-class M34, the Class 40 Offshore Racer or the IMOCA Open 60, not to forget Kite-Surfing, Stand-Up-Paddeling and even Kajak ! Rather a surprise is the first position in the Drasgons by Tam Nguyen HKG leading ahead of Alexander Schmid RUS and Thomas Müller GER. Hugo Stenbek SWE starting again for Switzerland follows on rank 5. In the M34, the experienced 'Courrier Dunkerque' mit Daniel Souben FRA is on top ahead of the newcomers 'Groupama' (Franck Cammas FRA and 'Sodebo' (Damien Iehl FRA). First in the Class 40 are Sébastien Rogues FRA, in the IMOCA Open 60, the Vendée Globe-proven 'Groupe Bel' (Kito de Pavant FRA) and 'Maitre Coq' (Jérémy Beyou FRA). Jörg Riechers GER ('mare') follows in his first Open-60-regatta on rank 3. The event-website.

Light winds in the morning and an unsteady, shifting seabreeze in the afternoon made it impossible to have some more runs at the slalom world cup in Korea. After the first heat Karin Jaggi SUI in the women's competition and Alberto Menegatti ITA for the men are leading the rankings. More news on the PWA-website.

After a break due to an injury, the Swiss Olympians Yannick Brauchli/Romuald Hausser SUI completed on Lake Garda their first 470 regatta of this year. The Italian 470 Championship of the past weekend was meant to be a first test and tune-up for the 'Olympic Garda' event beginning next Wednesday ... and ended with a victory after six races. Sofian Bouvet/Jeremie Mion FRA finished 2nd, Capurro/Puppo ITA 3rd. The Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL are on rank 5. 29 participants. The ranking list, the pictures and the video.

The German Starboat Championship on Lake Moehn ended yesterday with a surprise. In a puffy West wind, the veteran Alex Hagen/Marko Hasche GER won the first race of the day and added a second place in the last regatta, replacing the leading Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER on top, just one point ahead. Johannes Babendererde/Manuel Voigt GER complete the podium. 29 teams from 3 nations, among them Tennigkeit/Heike Schöller SUI as 29th. The final rankings (PDF) and a TV report.

The best sailing conditions of the Extreme Sailing Series Act 3 prevailed yesterday and 9 races could be sailed in a breeze around 12 kn with the last heat awarding double points. 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA finished first in this last race, but Leigh McMillan GBR on 'The Wave - Muscat' succeeded to defend the overall lead with a 2 points' advantage winning the Qingdao regatta. 'SAP Extreme Sailing Team' had an excellent last day and advanced on rank 3. 'Alinghi' stays on top of the annual rankings. The ranking lists, the report and the videos.

Men and women sailed a complete round at the PWA Slalom Competition in Ulsan KOR in good sailing conditions. In the men's category, the favorites Antoine Albeau FRA and Björn Dunkerbeck SUI were eliminated with equipment damage, leaving the first places to Alberto Menegattî ITA 1st and Antoine Questel FRA 2nd. Winner in the women's category was Karin Jaggi SUI ahead of Delphine Cousin FRA. The PWA-Website with video, report and ranking lists.

The last meters of the last race decided on the overall winner of the RC44 Series on Sicily ITA: Chris Bake GBR/Cameron Appleton NZL ('Team Aqua') succeeded to gain the necessary two ranks to take the overall victory just before the finish line, leaving Igor Lah SLO/Michele Ivaldi ITA ('Cereef') on rank 2. 'Katusha' with Steve Howe/Andy Horton USA remained 3rd. The report.

Just one race was sailed on the last day of the French Starboat Championship, that had no influence of the podium of the event. Martin and Yves Tenconi FRA were the winners ahead of Camille and Michelle Dreyfuss FRA. Mercier/Bernault FRA finished on rank 3. Urs Infanger/Oleg Chtechtine SUI follow on rank 4 after an impressive last heat. Vincent and Sébastien Guidoux SUI progressed as well and are ranked 5th among the 26 teams. Unfortunately, the final ranking list has not yet been posted on the Event-Website.

The 'Round Belle Ile', a rounding of the little island off La Trinité, has become a big festival of sailing during the past years. Over 500 yacht, from the modern high-tech-racers to sailing fish cutters were present this year. Winner in light winds and sun was the MOD-70-Trimaran 'Spindrift Racing' of Dona Bertarelli SUI with Yann Guichard FRA steering finishing after 3 hrs and 50 min. The best monohull was the TP52 'Paprec Recyclage' of Stéphane Névé FRA. The report and the impressive pictures.

The Moth European Championship ended yesterday on Sicily ITA with two moderate wind races that just permitted foiling. A class of his own in these conditions was Chris Rashley GBR, winning the Champion's title for the third time in a row. The only serious opponent was Michael Lennon GBR taking Silver 3 points behind. Another Englishman, Jason Belben GBR, won Bronze. The best non-Brit was Pablo Arandia ESP on the 6th place. The ranking list, the official report (in Ital.), the video and the report (Engl.) by Chris Rast SUI/USA.

The fog over Qingdao disappeard late in the afternoon and only four short races could be sailed in a barely 5 kn wind. Leigh McMillan GBR with 'The Wave - Muscat' won two heats and took the overall lead, replacing 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA on top hurt by a collision with the second Swiss X-40 'Realteam' of Jerôme Clerc SUI. Before the last double-points races today, 'Alinghi' has a backlog on 'The Wave' of 12 points. The report and the results.

As a tune-up to the 'Olympic Garda' Regatta beginning next Wednesday, the 470 Class is running the Italian Championship off Riva ITA. Three races were already sailed in a well-established 'Ora' breeze by the 29 boats' fleet from 6 nations yesterday. James Turner/Carl Evans NZL are on top ahead of Matteo Capurro/Matteo Puppo ITA and Barreiros/Curbelo ESP. The Olympic Champions Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie NZL follow on rank 4. The results.

The Yngling Springtime Championship 2013 on Lake Garda ended yesterday with the fivefold victory of the Dutch Team. Jan Deen NED and his team defended the first place tied with Lieuwe Gietema NED as 2nd. Marten Jaamin NED finished 3rd. The best non-Dutch on rank 6 is Rudi Mayr AUT. The final rankings.

The Sicilian RC44 Act of the 2013 Championship Series continued yesterday with three races sailed in a moderate 12-14 kn breeze. The new leader is SLO on 'Cereef' (tactics Guiseppe Ivaldi ITA) ahead of 'Team Aqua' with Chris Bake GBR (tactics Cameron Appleton NZL) and 'Katusha' mit Steve Howe USA (Tacticsk Andy Horton USA) on the ranks 2 and 3. Considering the small gaps between the boats, nothing is decided yet. The report.

After a windless Friday, the first races of the French Starboat Championship were sailed yesterday on Lake Annecy. Five heats were completed and Martin and Yves Tenconi FRA are the clear leaders with four race wins, followed by Camille and Michel Dreyfuss FRA and Mercier/Bernault FRA on the ranks 2 and 3. 26 participants. The results (PDF).

Finishing third in the final race of the 5o5 Worlds, Claas Lehman/Leon Oehme GER crowned their over 30 years career in the Class with their first World Champion's title. Boehm/Roos GER 2 points behind took Silver, the defending Champions Hunger/Jess GER had to content themselves with rank 3. Holt/Smit USA did not reach the podium inspite of a first place in the last race. The report, the final ranking list and the video highlights.

No luck with weather and wind on Sicily for the 30 participants of the Moth Europeans. After the excessive breeze at the beginning of the Championship, keeping the Moths ashore, the wind had disappeared yesterday and no races were possible. The defending Champion Chris Rashley GBR, ranks 1/1/2 is on top after the only 3 heats completed so far in this regatta dominated by the British. The www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151370602121701&set=a.433143116700.223241.690751700&type=1&theater]results[/URL].

Three more races were sailed yesterday afternoon in 15 kn 'Ora' breeze, and again, the Dutch teams ruled the show. Before the last races today, Jan Deen NED and his team are on top 4 points ahead of Lieuwe Gietema NED and 13 points in front of Jamin Marteen NED. The best non-Dutchman is Wolfgang Riha AUT on position 6. The rankings and the report of the day.

Act 3 of the Extreme Sailing Series continued yesterday with 8 short 'stadium' races inside the Qingdao harbour. Leigh McMillan GBR, best of the day on his 'The Wave Muscat', reduced the points gap on the leader 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA to three points. Less successful was the former 2nd 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI, dropping from rank 2 to 6. The gaps between the boats are still very small and nothing has been decided yet. The report and the ranking list.

The sailable breeze filled in on Lake Möhn in the afternoon only, allowing to complete at least one light wind race. Alex Hagen/Marko Hasche GER were the winners ahead of Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER who extended their overall lead with this 2nd place. Babendererde/Voigt GER on 2nd are now 6 points behind, Merkelbach/Kleen GER follow 11 points back as 3rd. Thanks to the race win, Hagen/Hasche GER advanced on position 5. The results (PDF) and the report.

Round 2 of the Italian Melges 32 circuit began yesterday off Scarlino ITA in sunshine, warm temperatures and an 8-12 kn breeze, and three races were completed. Leader after day one is Matteo Balestrero ITA and his team, one point ahead of Gianluca Perego ITA on 2nd and Tonu Toniste EST, Olympic medalist 1996, on 3rd. The best Swiss Sacha De Micheli SUI follows on rank 15 of the 24 teams from 10 nations. The report with results.

Ideal conditions for the overpowered RC44s prevailed yesterday with a moderate 12-14 kn breeze. Three fleetraces were sailed and the new leader now is Chris Bake GBR with his 'Team Aqua', 2 points ahead of 'Cereef' of Igor Lah SLO. The report and the results.

Over the past weekend, the H-Boats sailed their most important regatta on Lake Constance, the H-Boat Cup, a race counting for the German and Swiss Annual Ranking List. A remarkable fleet of 33 teams paid the tribute to this important event. After 4 races, sailed mostly in light winds, the team of Hannes Heinz GER was on top ahead of Adi Gerlach SUI and Thilo Beuster GER. The results and the report.

The races nbr 7 and 8 were preliminary decisions for the 5o5 Worlds title with the fact, that the Champion will be German again. Who among the top-three is still open. Boehm/Roos GER lead two points ahead of Lehmann/Oehme GER and Hunger/Jess GER five points behind rank 1. The fourth-ranked Holt/Smit USA have a backlog of 15 points already. The results and the report.

The slackening wind allowed only one race to be sailed yesterday by the 32 participants. In the breeze around 8 kn, the Brits were even more impressive as on the previous day. Their Moths have larger foils letting them lift easier, and the weight of the pilots was important as well to start flying in these light airs. The defending Champion Chris Rashley GBR finished 2nd and kept his interims lead, but the winner of the day Michael Lennon GBR is only two points behind. Ben Patton GBR ist 3rd. The best non-Brit is now Morgan Good BEL on rank 6. The rankings and the report.

The Springtime Championship on Lake Garda continued yesterday with a North wind race in the morning and two light-wind 'Ora' heats. Dominating are the Dutch occupying the first five positions in the overall rankings. The new leader are Robert-Jan Kentgens NED and his team, 4 points ahead of Tom Otte NED. Last year's winner Jamin Maarten NED follows on 3rd. The results and the report.

A light East wind prevailed yesterday on the first day of the German Starboat Championship on Lake Möhn. Three races were sailed and Johannes Polgar/Markus Koy GER were the winners taking the overall lead ahead of Johannes Babendererde/Manuel Voigt GER. Merkelbach/Kleen GER are 3rd. 30 teams from 3 nations participate, among them the past two-times World Champion Alex Hagen GER with Marko Hasche GER (rank 7), the Spring Europeans Champion 1988 Joachim Hellmich GER with Stefan Lacher (rank 8) and the Olympic Silver medalists 1984 Achim Griese/Michael Marcour GER (rank 9). The results (PDF).

Light winds prevailed yesterday in Qingdao, the 2008 Olympic city, on day one of the 3rd Act of the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series. As always, the event started with longer races on the 'Open-Sea', and as from today, Stadium racing in the harbour will begin. The two Swiss teams mastered the light-wind conditions the best. 'Alinghi' with Morgan Larson USA steering took the lead after 4 races ahead of 'Realteam' with Jerôme Clerc SUI. 'The Wave Muscat' with Leigh McMillan GBR is 3rd. The report and the rankings.

Moderate winds prevailed yesterday for the fleetraces at the RC44-Championship Series on Sicily. Four races were sailed and 'Ceeref' of Igor Lah SLO with Michele Ivaldi ITA as tactician took the lead ahead of 'Synergy' of Valentin Zavadnikhov RUS with Ed Baird USA calling the shots. The report and the results.

After the lay day, the 5o5 Worlds are now in its crucial second phase. Two races were sailed yesterday, and today, two more heats are on the program before the final race on Friday. The day's best Böhm/Roos GER, rank 2 and 5, reclaimed the first place, but the defending champions Hunger/Jess GER are only 4 points behind. Holt/Smit USA remain on rank 3. The rankings and the report.

Finally the Scirocco calmed sufficiently down to begin racing yesterday at the Moth Europeans off Marsala ITA, but the shifty and unconstant 12 - 14 kn breeze made it very difficult for the competitors. The defending champion Chris Rashley GBR mastered these conditions the best and booked two race wins. The British dominance continues with Michael Lennon GBR, Ben Paton GBR and Tom Offer GBR on the positions 2 to 4. The first non-English is Matthias Renker SUI on rank 5. 35 participants sailing. The report (PDF) with top ranks.

The Springtime Championship of the Ynglings on Lake Garda began yesterday with a first race. Tom Otte NED and his team were the winners followed by Patrick Haag/Peter Newel/Thomas Grueble SUI and Klaus Diem AUT and his team. 30 teams from 6 nations. The results.

At Trapani ITA, 20 kilometer North of the Moth-Europeans, the RC44 have been fighting with the same unconstant South wind during the opening day, as usual dedicated to matchracing. Andy Horton USA, tactician on the Russian 'Katusha' and steering the boat while matchracing, controlled the situation winning all 4 duels
sailed without losses, as already done in Dubai. The report.

The 69 teams at the 5o5 Worlds 2013 on the Barbados had their lay day yesterday. As from today, 6 more teams from the US West Coast, whose boats arrived late, will join the Championship. The video of the day reports on the heavy tropical rain of Monday preventing racing, as well as details on the comprehensive GPS tracking used at this Championship. Today at 13 hrs local time (19 h CET), the start will be given to the 5th race, that can be followed live on the Internet. First after 4 races are Lehmann/Oehme GER two points ahead of Boehm/Roos GER. Holt/Smit USA and Hunger/Jess GER are only one point behind on the ranks 3 and 4. The results.

Another day with a 30 kn plus Sirocco at the Western Coast of Sicily and the start to the first race of the Moth Europeans had to be postponed again. For today, the wind forecast should be ideal with a 10 - 14 kn breeze and racing will most probably begin. Some participants dared to go afloat anyhow yesterday to attack the speed record established by Chris Rast SUI/USA some days ago, but this with no success. The event-website with a report in Italian and the Communiqué in English.

After the position papers of the International Sailing Federtion ISAF and the International Laser Class Association ILCA regarding the accusations of the Laser designer Bruce Kirby CAN, the Canadian answered with the official lawsuit lodged at the Conneticut USA Court against a number of manufacturers, ISAF and ILCA. Here the original text. ISAF and ILCA - here the statement of the Laser Class - are of the opinion, that the patent rights of Kirby have expired since a long time. The objective of some modifications in the agreements is to protect the future of this most popular Olympic class. The Governing Body and the Class informed very reluctantly so far because of legal reasons. The case will be thoroughly discussed at the forthcoming ISAF Midyear-Meeting next week.