Please select your home edition
Edition
Stoneways Marine 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Contender European Championships at Kuehlungsborn, Germany

by German Contender Association 5 Aug 2014 21:02 BST July 2014

In the last week of July the European title for the class Contender Class was sailed. The town of Kuhlungsborn in Northern Germany had been chosen to host this event. "The area rarely sees such a protracted period of high temperatures and low winds, usually only one or two days," said Peter Menzel, who is himself a Contender sailor and chairman of the organising Sailing Club Kuhlungsborn.

Fair competition can only be sailed over 6 knots of wind, prescribed by the class rule of the Contenders. But the wait for wind paid off.

The first race at just over 6 knots of wind was sailed on Tuesday and was won by Max Billerbeck from Hamburg.

On Wednesday, two races were sailed in 6-8 knots of wind. Winner of the day with a first and a fourth place was again Max Billerbeck. The best sailing of the week was Thursday, with more than 10 knots of wind, the sailors could finally extend their legs and use the trapeze. That was the day of the Dane; Soren Andreasen, who took the victory with a second and two first places and with the overall lead.

On the last day of racing only one race could be achieved, with Soren leading Max by a single point it would prove to be critical. Soren Andreasen just squeezed ahead in dying breeze before Max Billerbeck, thus securing the title.

The Youth European Champion was David Schaft from Germany and the Female champion was Jaqueline Ruefenacht from Switzerland. Total 95 Contender sailors from 9 countries participated in the European Championships.

The British sailor had mixed fortunes in the fickle winds with Gary Langdown of Highcliffe making the best of it in 8th, sailing a Chris Somner Epoxy. The top ten boats were dominated by the wooden Bonezzi's after recent success of the epoxy boats at the worlds in Australia, this is due in part to the vast number of wooden boats sailed in Northern Europe.

Photos: picasaweb.google.com/116509979270313218987/EM2014LetzterTag

Related Articles

Kieler Woche Day 10
Seven nations celebrate victories at the finale On the final sailing day of Kieler Woche 2025, there were beaming faces all around the Olympic Centre in Schilksee. Eleven decisions were made on Sunday and alongside Germany, Denmark, France, GB, Malta, Sweden, & Hungary were able to celebrate victories. Posted on 29 Jun
SGS Gold at Kieler Woche goes to France and GB
The best German team, Theresa Löffler and Christopher Hoerr, finished fifth With a victory in the final medal race of the Kieler Woche, the British team of Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris secured gold in the 470 class on Sunday (June 29). Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 9
Hosts without Sailing Grand Slam medals, but leading in five classes The final six medals in the mixed classes of the Olympic Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) at Kieler Woche will be awarded on Sunday (June 29) without any German contenders. Posted on 29 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday. Posted on 27 Jun
Poole Contender Open
Fine conditions for Travellers Trophy Round 4 The weekend of the 31st of May to the 1st of June saw the fourth round of the Contender travellers' trophy at Poole Yacht Club. With competitors making the trip from as far as Scotland, the last morning in May greeted them with glorious sunshine. Posted on 11 Jun
Yorkshire Dales Contender Open
Superb weather greeted the 17 helms over the weekend Superb weather greeted the seventeen Contenders attending the Open Meeting at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club over the weekend of 10th & 11th May. The forecast for the two days was good with the promise of slightly more breeze on Sunday. Posted on 13 May
Contender Open at Mount's Bay
A 'take your pick' forecast for the sailors Despite a 'take your pick' forecast and a few unlucky regulars whose boats were still in delayed container from US Worlds, 12 Contender sailors were all smiles arriving at their 2026 Nationals venue - the stunning Mount's Bay SC, to join the Ospreys. Posted on 8 May
Oxford Contender Open
A weekend of thrills and challenges The Oxford Sailing Club played host to an exhilarating weekend of racing at the Oxford Contender Open, where sailors faced a mix of sunny skies and blustery winds ranging from 14 to 22 knots. Posted on 11 Apr
2025 Victorian Contender Championship overall
Bulka adds another regatta victory to his name Light weather continued to prevail, with glassy conditions greeting the sailors. Perhaps a few sore heads from the previous night's festivities—those who know, know. Posted on 23 Mar
2025 Victorian Contender Class Championship day 1
Exceptional talent converges... The picturesque waters and surroundings of McCrae, southeast of Melbourne, were the centerpiece for this year's Contender Class Victorian Championships. Posted on 22 Mar