| BALATONFÜREND, HUNGARY-(27-4-2004) Audi Grand Prix held at 23 to 25. April, 2004, Balatonfüred, Lake Bataton, Hungary has been a great challenge also for the crews who have entered from four countries, and for the Race Officers as well. Lake Balaton has showed us the different extremeties it holds in these three days.
Friday was sunny, unexpectedly warm, but no wind. Wind was enough in the morning so that the Race Committee decided to start the race on time. Unfortunately when the boat was about half way through, the it died completely, the race had to be cancelled. Since there was a slight chance the wind may come back, the Race Committee decided a postponent afloat. By three in the afternoon it became clear that this day holds no hope for sailing. No more races today. The weather forecast was very promising for the next two day, altough they promised a much colder air, and many rain as well. On Friday there was no sign of any rain, there were even no clouds on the sky, many were hoping the weather forecast is wrong. History proved, how wrong they were...
Saturday morning the weather was really promising. There was a nice wind from north, north-west. On the way to the course it started to rain quite hard, and it kept on raining all day long. The temperature dropped by 10 Celcius according to the forecast. It was quite hard for the competitors and for the Organisers. The wind - usual for Lake Balaton - kept on shifting all the time, so it was a matter of strategy who will be the winner of the races. In the second race the wind shifted so hard, it became necessary to modify the course by almost 30 degrees to the left. At the end of this diffcult day, everyone was happy it was over. The evening party was a very happy social event in the evening.
Sunday the waether was much better, there was a faint sunshine, a good win from the north, altough quite cold. The wind never dropped below 5 m/s, the strongest gusts reached 11 - 12 m/s. Wind shifts were not nearly as strong as yesterday. The first race started on schedule, so there was a hope that a second race can be organised within time limit. The fleet finished short after 11 a.m. There was a small excitement when, on the way back to the starting area the motor of the Race Committee boat died. Fortunately quick, and professional, help was provided by the Jury boat by towing them to the proper place, so second race could be started almost 20 minutes before limit. At this time, second and third places were an open question. First place was almost sure, only is Germany 300 could not finish the race, could anyone have a chance to win. But they never gave that opportunity to anyone. They have sailed a safe-course. György WOSSALA had a big mathematical chance for second place, but even early in the race Karl AUTERIED got the lead and never let it go from his hands. The final results are seen at the following link:
www.soling.com/results/ShowResults.asp?ID=149
POS Sail Helmsman Middleman Bowman POINTS R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 D1 D2
1 GER 300 Roman KOCH Maxl KOCH Christoph WOSSALA 4 1 6 1 2 6
2 AUT 73 Marcus SCHNEBERGER Volker MOSER- Christian PANEK 8 4 1 3 4 4
3 AUT 117 Karl AUTERIED- Martin KENDLER- Udo MOSER 9 3 8 5 1 8
4 HUN 77 György WOSSALA- László KOVÁCSI- Péter NÉMETH 9 5 2 4 3 5
5 HUN 1 Balázs GYENESE- Gyula MÓNUS- Károly VEZÉR 10 8 3 2 5 8
As a summary we have seen a very fair racing from professional competitors. There were no protests, not even a loud word during races. No early starts, no 720 turns....etc Keeping in mind that this racing went on for money prize, this fact should give a very big respect for this fleet! On behalf of the Race Committee all I can tell these guys: `Thank you very much and Good Wind in the future!`
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