| British dominate
German 18 Foot Skiff Grand Prix |
| By Peter Andrews,
Outimage. |
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Photos by Christophe
Favreau
Photos and Press Releases provided by
the Australian 18 Footers League. |
| Wednesday, July 27, 2011. |
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It was the weather conditions that determined the program of racing at the MSE German 18 Foot Grand Prix at Travemünde, Lübeck, Germany. Located on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the river Trave and home of the famous P-Line Barque Passat, the first two days of the Grand Prix had to be postponed from winds far too strong to allow any racing of the 18 foot skiffs.
Arriving on the first day where winds were gusting up to 35 knots were three
British, a Danish and seven German teams. It was only one German team, Kaltenberger
Ritter skippered by Prinz Heinrich, who dared to make a short-lived attempt
to sail at the mouth of the River Trave. The second day was no better with the
strong gusting winds hammering the coast with the addition of rain. When day
two was also postponed, the decision was generally accepted among all competing
for the Grand Prix. |
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Skiff action at the German 18 Foot Skiff Grand Prix.
Photo © Christophe Favreau.
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The plan for Day 3 after the regular racing was completed, was to run three special format races of 10 to 15 minutes each in front of the shoreline to provide a closer look at the action for spectators. When Day 3 arrived, light and shifty breeze presented a challenge for all competitors of the event.
It was the experienced British skipper Jarrod Simpson who tackled the conditions
to take the championship with two wins and a third in the three races, within
a 10-boat fleet. Behind Simpson was another Brit, Jamie Mears who finished second
with a win, a second and a third; while Germany’s Mike Keser finished third
with one third and two fourths. |
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Skiff action at the German 18 Foot Skiff Grand Prix.
Photo © Christophe Favreau.
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As for the new format that followed
the regular racing, European 18ft Skiff Association Secretary and
18ft Skiff skipper, Norbert Peter, was indeed quite pleased.
"We staged a series of six 10-minute races on the river in sight of the
town," said Peter who added that the six races included heats and
a final.
"The river was only 60 to 100 metres wide and approximately 100,000 spectators were lined up along the shore. The spectators loved the new format and the sailors were electrified, and hot for the high-voltage sailing in a small area. It was a good new way to bring the excitement of 18 foot Skiff Racing and its magic to the spectators". |
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Skiff action at the German 18 Foot Skiff Grand Prix.
Photo © Christophe Favreau.
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| More information, photographs and videos about the Australian 18 Footers can be found at www.flying18s.com and www.18footers.com.au. |
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| Outimage, Christophe
Favreau and the Australian 18 Footers League © 2011 |
