International series concludes

The first part of Kiel Week has come to a close in Germany

After yesterday’s strong breeze, conditions in Kiel improved and mostly two final races on the eight courses were sailed in each class today. South westerly winds (11 – 16 knots with gusts up to 20 knots) with warm temperatures (17 to 20 Celsius) prevailed on the race courses and made competitors and race committee more than happy.

In the Formula 18 fleet Germany’s Joerg Gosche and Hannes Pegel won out after eight thrilling races (eight points overall) closely followed by 2006 and 2007 Kieler Woche winners Helge and Christian Sach (GER) in second (nine points) and third placed team Forsgren and Nordblom (SWE) on 28 points.

Amongst the Dragon Class the German Match Race expert Markus Wieser with his crew Auracher and Pugatchev (UKR) secured overall victory with their brand new boat, followed by Hendriksen, Matvienko and Leifeldt, (UKR) in second and Thomas Mueller, Hoesch and Schellmair (GER) in third place.

The thrilling performance of the Moth fleet in the Schilksee Bay impressed spectators and race officials alike. The Brits, Adam May and Gary Ireson shared the lead after seven races, with Adam May winning the eighth race and consequently the series; third place went to Martin Gravare (SWE).

In the Europe Class Sönke Herrmann (GER) won his first Kieler Woche title. second overall was Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN) and in third position was Meike Herrmann (GER) after eight races.

Veterans of Kieler Woche 2008 were represented in the FD and the 505 Class: Joergen Bojsen-Moeller (DEN) sailed his Flying Dutchman to his 14th victory in Kiel (the first win was in 1988), and Wolfgang Hunger (GER) topped his Kieler Woche participation by winning the title for the 16th time in the 505 fleet during his brilliant sailing career.

Results, here