| TRAVEMÜNDE, GERMANY-(19-7-2003) After a slow start and postponement in the morning – the Saturday developed very good in the afternoon and all classes could sail two or three races in the 114. Travemuende Week. Light to moderate winds and perfect sunshine brought caribbean conditions. Thousands of spectators watched the thrilling action on the water from the shoreside and enjoyed the party.
Even the man, who made everyone waiting, was satisfied in the end. “We could start the first race only at 17.11 h today”, explained Jens Kath, race officer of the course Golf for the mistral surfers, the late results. “But than we had good winds between 8 and 12 knots from the northeast and could finish three races”. Moritz Martin underlined his great form and won three straight races, to lead the list. On second place André Hartung followed, with the swiss Richard Stauffacher on third rank. Romy Kinzl from Berlin was the best woman as fourth on the list.
The tension was high to see the german topsailors in the tornado class lining up for their first starts. And Roland Gaebler (38), bronze medallist in Sydney came back into the game with his brandnew crew Gunnar Struckmann. “The fleet of 35 starters is small but very competent. The races have been pretty tactical and the sailing conditions were ideal”, raved Gaebler. “It was a great start for us, while we are just adapting each other”.
Their strongest German rival for the ticket to Olympia is the team Andrew Landenberger/Jojo Polgar and today they finished first, followed by the Frenchmen Billy Besson/Arnaud Jarlegan. Gaebler scoring third.
On the offshore course the IMS classes had to share the area with the Beneteau 25 fleet today and in the second, shortened race it was pretty tight sometimes. Mark roundings where identified by shouting and protests. The Beneteau class is sailing its northern German championship and the fleet of 25 boats includes every national big name. After two races former Admirals cup sailor Kai Mares took the lead, followed by Mads Christensen from Denmark. Third placed was Oliver Schwall from Hamburg. His brother René Schwall, who won bronze with Gaebler in Sydney finished sixth although he won the first race. The second start was not so lucky for him and he had to do a 720 penalty.
In the IMS I class “Varuna” from Jens Kellinghusen underlined his leading position., The yacht which just finished the DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge showed constant form.
The 14-footer end their racing on Sunday so the finishing fight was on. After a little downtime in race 6 and 7 Axel Reinsch and Oliver Marquardt found back to their dominating strength and lead the results list without doubt.
In the Streamline class three races where sailed and the local heroes Hamester/Damelstein/Hammerich are ranked on top.
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