written by Matias Collins on July 8 of 2023 and read by 721
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The last day of the Europeans was all about champagne sailing for the Soling, sun, 14-18knots some good waves.
The start was scheduled for 1200hs since a championship was already valid, and teams had the night before the official reception at the Lockschuppen located at the Mittemole (middle pier). Some other sailors with a young spirit after being kicked out of the building head up to the open pubs in Warnemunde, coming quite late to their night rest.
Right after the start NOR 131 leaded by Krisitan Negaard, Johan Barne and Tomas Mathisen to the lead over HUN 1 with Sandor Varjas, Laszlo Kovasci and Gabor Meretei, this lead and the great sailing from CAN 225 sailed by Peter Hall, Martin Zeileis and Max Reisinger who managed to squeeze inn into both would seal the destiny, both without the need to race the last race as their positions would had no changes despite the three points difference in between them. The battle at the middle fleet was also unbelievable, with surfing downwinds, strategic tacks, making this a difficult day for NED 33 with Rudy den Outer, Pauck Knape and Ramzi Souli not being able to pass at the first race USA 853 with Matias Collins, Andreas Baumueller and Moritz Strauch, finishing in 5th the race and opening a chance to CAN 225 jump into the podium.
The second race the wind went 10 degrees to the left, NOR 131 and HUN 1 chose not to start, with their podium defined. Saw a fast CAN 225 fighting hard with NED 33 and USA 853, this one more like a follower after the first downwind when the two leaders slipped away, the result confortable for NED 33 was leaving them at the podium , but with a great last beat USA 853 managed to rodun behind neck to neck with NED 33 and won the inside at the dowind, surfing each wave close to team STERN NED 33, team Baumueller USA 853 then strategically kept sailing all the way to the lay-line inclusive advancing a length or two in good surfs, the jibe came and despite all attempts of NED 33 to approach , it was a clear reaching all the way to finish but with USA 853 playing against their podium due to the 2 extra points lost in the day.
Susanne Kuffer from GER 11 sailing with Michael Dietzel and Simon Zeh won the Reloaded trophy awarded for the best placed woman at the event.
Team NED 37 with Ben Boogaerdt, Gerben den Hartog and Nicky van Zon were the third best from the best country at the event being awarded with the Rien Segaard Trophy.
The Vincent Manach Trophy was awarded by the German Soling Association to Rudy den Outer due to his tremendous efforts building the class in the Netherlands and due to their squad presence making the Europeans feasible even when German sailors were afraid to sail real winds and seas.
The BSA Young trophy at this time was not awarded since no helmsperson under 35 years old to the challenge to sail the fantastic different conditions the Ost See presented this week.
Next Europeans will be presented soon, and it has a good chance that it will be organized again at France, more info will be shared soon.
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