29er class at Kieler Woche 2015
by Debbie Darling 30 Jun 2015 18:51 BST
25-28 June 2015
29ers at Kieler Woche © Tomasz
Kiel Week 2015 saw ten GBR 29ers competing within the 85 strong fleet from 15 countries. The fleet were split into 3 flights racing a windward leeward course. Despite the light 4 – 8 knot winds on day one the RO managed to complete 4 races. Germans dominated with light weights Paul Pietzcker / Linus V. Oppen (scored 1/1/1/4) ahead Gwendal Lamay / Luke Willim (5/9/2/1) in 2nd; & 3rd Hinnerk Siemsen / Sören Brandt (8/6/2/1). Top Brits were Dan Venables / Patrick Keech (5/10/1/4) in 6th.
Qualifying continued in light conditions on day two, where consistency was key on the snakes & ladders course. The patchy wind filled in during the day, finally shifting right to a sea breeze direction; & maxing at 12 knots but dying as the last boats finished at 19.30. The Spanish girls took the overall lead - Carla Munte / Marta Munte (4/2/3/2/2/2(6)1); in 2nd Peter Lin Janezic / Anze Podlogar (2/5/4(29)2/2/1/2) from Slovenia; GER in 3rd Safia Schuchmann / Anisah Schuchmann (1/3/2/6/2/4(8)2); the Brits had a good day with Dan & Paddy in 4th (4(10)1/4/1/1/7/4) whilst Crispin Beaumont / Tom Darling (3(14)9/1/1/7/3/1) moved up to 5th.
The fleet split into Gold/Silver/Bronze for day 3 & raced on the TV course see sailorsinfo.kieler-woche.de/en or Youtube. The wind was shifty & patchy, especially near the shore, but resulted in exciting, tactical racing in winds ranging from 8 – 18 knots! With a 2nd discard in play the Slovenia's Peter & Anze were ahead with (2/5/4(28)2/2/1/2/2/1/(22)/10); Crispin & Tom had moved up to 2nd with (3(14)9/1/1/(7)/3/1/4/7/4/5).
The final day dawned sunny with 8 – 12 knots building to 15 knots. The Slovenia's showed why they came 6th at the Worlds, with a solid display of consistency. They won the regatta with a 3,8,2,1. Crispin & Tom held onto 2nd whilst Germans Gwendal & Luke took 3rd; Spanish girls Carla & Marta in 4th; 5th were Dan & Paddy.
The Race Officer Robert Niemczewski did an amazing job completing 4 races a day for 3 flights. Thanks to Kieler Woche for hosting a fantastic event.
Full results can be found here.