Olympic classes underway

Great conditions prevailed for the second part of Kiel Week

Part II of Kiel Wekk for nine Olympic classes racing on six different courses from 25-29 June is underway. Unfortunately, the Tornado and Yngling classes will miss out on this year’s Kieler Woche due to a lack of entries. For the first time the 2.4mR Paralympic singlehanded keelboat Class will be open for disabled as well as able-bodied competitors.

The competitors faced perfect weather conditions of about 12 knots though with some cloud. About 575 teams from 48 nations started the Olympic Classes part of Kieler Woche, the last ISAF Grade 1 event preceding the Olympic Games in Qingdao.

Lijia XU from China, won the first two races in the Laser Radial fleet (83 competitors) superbly. The men’s Laser fleet (156 entries starting in three groups) was dominated by Lima (POR) with two wins. Slingsby (AUS) is in second, and Murdoch (NZL) rounds out the top three in third place.

58 teams started in the 49er class in two groups. Three nations are sharing the top three positions after three races. Athens Gold medalists, Martinez and Fernandez (ESP) are currently leading the field. Delle Karth and Resch (AUT) are in second while Britain's Morrison and Rhodes round out the top three.

In the Finn Class (48 entries) Trujillo (ESP) won the first race, followed by Vincec (SLO) in second and Railey (USA) in third overall after two races.

Miarczynski (POL) proved his talent by winning the first two races in the men's RS:X fleet (65 entries, two groups). Dutchman Bouman led the second group, also crossing the finish line first in both races. Myszka (POL) and van Rijsselberge (NED) share third place in each group. The Polish boardsailor Klepacke leads the women's RS:X fleet (41 starters), followed by Kinzl (GER) who is still trying to get the nod for Olympic selection.
Victory in the men's 470 fleet (54 starters) went to Etter (SUI) who won both races, closely followed by Zhen Xu (SIN) in second and countryman Tay (SIN) in third.
Hot shots were the Japanese ladies Kondo and Kamata (JPN) who lead the women's 470 fleet (21 entries). The Danes Koch and Sommer won today’s second race and are placed second overall, just one point ahead of third placed Chinese Wen and Yu.

Revered competitor, Scheidt with crew Prada (BRA) appeared to sail a “rocket” in the Star fleet (18 entries) and won both races. Loof and Ekstrom (SWE) followed in second position, and Hagen and Kleen (GER) finished both races in third. Three time Kieler Woche winner and local champion Kröger (GER) leads the fleet of 30 2.4mR competitors, fighting against his rival from France Seguin in second on even points with Andersen (DEN) in third.

Results, here .