Audi Laser World Championship at Boltenhagen - Prizegiving
by Deike Maria Flemming 11 May 2012 16:52 BST
4-10 May 2012
Prizegiving at the Laser World Championships © Deike Flemming
At yesterday's prize giving ceremony Jeff Martin, Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association, proudly introduced the patron of the Audi Laser World Championship 2012, the minister for economy, development and tourism in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Harry Glawe who presided over the prize giving ceremony at the Weiße Wiek in Boltenhagen. “It is an honour for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that in this Olympic year the last of the Olympic tickets for London 2012 are being allocated here”, said the patron.
After his introduction to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Andreas Christiansen, the president of the hosting sailing club Norddeutscher Regatta Verein thanked the sailors for a fair regatta series and honoured the volunteers who made the event possible. He also thanked the event partners Anne Hecking, director of the Iberotel and Dorfhotel, Andreas Hundsdörfer, CEO of the Sea-Site GmbH, and Matthias Häckl, Marketing, Event and Sales at Marinepool.
Regional Director After Sales from Audi Region North, Sven Klünder, followed and extended a warm welcome to the sailors. “Audi makes the best cars in the world and you are the best Laser sailors in the world”, he explained Audi's involvement to approving cheers from the crowd. Principal Race Director Klaus Lahme then took over and announced the winners.
Youssef Akrout from Tunesia received the Rookie Prize for the best result of the sailors participating in a World Championship for the very first time. Julio Alsogaray (ARG), Rasmus Myrgren (SWE), Simon Grotelüschen (GER), Rutger Schaardenburg (NED), Andreas Geritzer (AUT), Tom Burton (AUS) and Juan Maegli (GUA) received their plaques for the places ten to four. Andrew Maloney (NZL), Tonci Stipanovic (CRO) and Tom Slingsby (AUS) were handed their prizes, paintings from Segelbild.de's Heinke Böhnert and took to the podium while the Australian national anthem was being played in honour of Slingsby's win.
In contrast to Slingsby who was awarded the title of World Champion for the fifth time it was the first time on the podium of a world championship for both Maloney and Stipanovic. In his acceptance speech Tom Slingsby expressed his gratitude to his trainers, physio and team mates who all contributed to his success in the difficult conditions at Boltenhagen.
Popular at the Race Office until the very last day were the give aways from partners Scho-ka-kola and Glashäger. The beer from Lübzer at the official ceremonies proved a hit with sailors and race officials who finally had the chance to kick back and relax at the prize giving.
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