Despite this weather situation, sailors, umpires and others are at the harbour. Beer is the common drink at this stage, but some might be going for a scotch(we guess without rocks), All them are enjoying this event and are making plans for the next one. Master crews are already thinking on the 2003 Worlds Master(September) that will be held at Lake Garda simoultaneously with the Europeans in a single entry fee competing in both championships but with two different output results. check at: www.solingeuropeans.com Other Sailors are also thinking on the WestGerman Championship at Lake Eder (June 14,15) & the Austrian Championship at the Attersee(June 17,22). Both looks like will be great events and both will make sailors rise in the ranking.

The Soling Class president Rose A. Hoeksema in a woman team will be competing at the Austrian Championship.

USA 843 Interview
After the first five races and a busy schedule, protest hearings, lots of beer and big lines to reach the computers with Internet. Stephen Bobo USA 843 gives us his impression about the 2003 world championship being held at lake Balaton in Hugnary from May 17th to 25th.

`So I will give you some generalized impressions. the sailing is suberb and the scenery equally so. Plenty of changing conditions. We have raced in light to moderate air on Monday, medium to heavy on Tuesday, and 25 knots gusting to 40 yesterday (hence the broken vang). The only thing that is lacking is the big Lake Michigan waves for surfing. The big fleet is great, and some very good sailors (including Pichugin from the Ukraine) as well as some less experienced. We have felt a bit more comfortable every day, getting used to both the controls and each other (the 3 of us have never sailed together before). We have done a few dumb things, like getting caught close under the layline coming into the first windward mark in the first race, with a solid line of starboard tackers above us and having to jibe around to find a hole - not fast. As foreign as things can seem on land, when we are out sailing and particularly racing, it is mostly familiar and even comfortable.
The social aspect of the fleet is perhaps stronger than at home. It has been remarked that the class over here at least has become much more friendly and the parties better with the departure of the professionals and would be Olympians. The experience is very positive and easier to do than I feared. Also, many people, even some of the locals speak some English, so it is easier to cope than expected. And of course we have Lev.

We are under another postponement this morning for continued high winds. We hope to finish the last 2 races by Friday and spend Saturday in Budapest. ` Steve USA 843

Source: Event editor