Record entry on day one

960 competitors turned out for the first day of International Class racing at Kiel Week

Sunshine and a westerly breeze reaching eight to ten knots with the air and water temperature a refreshing 17 degrees Celsius, just perfect conditions for the opening day of Kieler Woche 2008! The organization announced an entry record in the international part of Kieler Woche 2008, which includes 960 entries in 16 International Classes. They race on eight different courses from 21-24 June with an average of three races a day.

After the first three races, the following teams are in the lead overall:

Hobie 16 – Jens Goritz, GER
Formula 18 – Helge and Christian Sach, GER
Beneteau 25 – Mads Christensen, DEN
FD – Joergen Bojsen-Moeller, DEN
505 – Jens Findel, GER
Dragon –Lars Hendriksen, UKR
H-Boat – Steffen Stegger, DEN
Europe – Aaito Pekka, FIN
Contender – Christoph Homeier, GER
OK-Dinghy – Thomas Hansson-Mild, SWE
Folkeboat – Christoph Nielsen, GER
420 – Antonius Tsiboukelis, GRE
Pirate – Frank Schoenfeldt, GER
Moth – Adam May, GBR

The President of DSV (German Yachting Association) Rolf Bähr enthusiastically watched the “fight” against wind and choppy in the most spectaculat class of this year, the foiling Moth, and will inform the ISAF President Göran Petersson about this thrilling and exciting single-handed dinghy.

Sad news from the VIP side: America’s Cup legend Russell Coutts who announced his visit to Kiel Schilksee for a press conference on June 26 appears to have other obligations to the BMW Oracle syndicate. Today the Race Committee of Kieler Woche 2008 announced the drop out of two Olympic Classes – Tornado and Yngling – due to lack of entries.

Results, here .