RDF & IDDM Folkboat Regatta at Flensburger Segel-Club

RDF & IDDM Folkboat Regatta Flensburg 2018 © Chris Gossman / www.chrisgossmann.de

As the Folkboat season draws to a close, one of the pinnacle events took place in Flensburg, Germany from the 15th to the 18th August 2018. The event combined the Danish National Championship with the German National Championships, and allowed an overall winner thus opening the event up for International participation, with the UK and Swedish fleets also having event representation.

The event was organised by The Flensburg Yacht Club (FYC) in conjunction with Segler-Vereingigungon, Flensburg (SVF). The organisation was absolutely first class, and 57 boats were launched in a timely manner ready for the opening 2 races. Prior to the racing an opening ceremony had been organised at the world famous boat yard 'Robbe and Berking'. Robbe and Berking are famous for producing early 12 metres yachts and other metre yachts like the 5.5 and 6 metre. This proved to be an excellent venue to open up the regatta bearing in mind the Folkboat is in its 76th year.

The racing format took the form of windward leeward courses in the Flensburg fjord and close to the harbour entrance reducing any long treks to the start line. The location was interesting as the far shoreline was Danish territory and the near shore, German territory, making the racing area near enough neutral. Racing got underway with a scheduled three races, but only two being completed in a 8-10 knot breeze which eventually diminished by 5:00pm. The racing location on the first day saw significant wind shifts, at one point 30 degree, which led to some interesting snakes and ladders in the opening days results. This being said the current Gold Cup champions Soren Kaestel DEN 873 with Erik Anderson and Alex Lindegaard ended the day relatively unscathed with a 1,3 scoreline and the current German champion Ulf Kipcke GER 739 with his crew of Dieter Kipcke and Gero Martens, scoring a 1,2 the best boat of the day and rewarded accordingly.

RDF & IDDM Folkboat Regatta Flensburg 2018 - photo © Chris Gossman / www.chrisgossmann.de

The second day of racing brought stronger breeze and a stable wind direction, and three good races on the same course format. This showcased the Folkboat's qualities in 15-20 knots of breeze. The first race of the day went to the Danish team DEN 721 Peter Brogger with Bo Staevne and Brian Hansen crewing, followed by a previous German champion GER 645 Andraes Blank with Svenja Loerke and Alexander Loerke on board. Simon Osgood with one of the two British boats entered made the top 10 with Gemma Osgood and Jamie Lea crewing, having the benefit of spending the season racing with the best in Europe.

RDF & IDDM Folkboat Regatta Flensburg 2018 - photo © Chris Gossman / www.chrisgossmann.de

The breeze had steadily built for race two and after two general recalls, the fleet got away under a black flag, The Danish team of Soren Kaestel DEN 873, worked themselves up the fleet to take the bullet from the local German Dragon sailing legend Thomas Muller GER1085 with his team of Malte Phillip and Mario Wagner, who had got to grips with the Folkboat having had (by their high standards) a relatively slow start to their regatta. The family team from Denmark of Nikolai Kold, Flemming Kold and Caroline Kold, DEN 723 took the final podium position. Race 5 saw DEN 873 take a convincing race win, followed by another Danish team DEN 634, Jens Thuroe with wife Lisa and Knud Peder Anderson making up the crew. Third went to again to the Kold family in DEN 723, making a Danish hattrick.

By the Friday, the 57 boat fleet had completed 50% of the planned races and the leader board was taking shape, with the overall lead being held by the Danes 873, following on from their convincing Gold Cup win in July. Three races were scheduled and conditions were similar to those the day before. Despite three races due to be completed, timings only allowed two races, and the battle commenced for German and Danish champion and the overall regatta winner. GER 1085 Thomas Muller came flying out the blocks with a perfectly executed pin end start, leading the fleet to the first windward mark and not to be challenged. A first in the bag and closing the margin between themselves and GER 739 Ulf Kipcke. The Danish team of Stig Lassen DEN 662 took second and the multiple Gold Cup and Danish Champion Per Jorgensen taking third. Overall series leader Soren Kaestel finished a steady 5th, making the championship all but his. After another general recall the fleet got away for the final race, which saw an enthralling battle ensure for the German Championship, with GER 739 and GER 1085 matching tack for tack in 1st and 2nd place up the first beat. The boats were matched for pace downwind and eventually finishing as they started, and thus clinching the German Championship, GER 739 Ulf Kipcke, took it by a point from Thomas Muller GER 1085. Jens Thuroe from Denmark secured 3rd in the final race, but the Danish Champions and overall regatta winners were Soren Kaestel, with DEN 703 Per Jorgensen runners up.

With a prompt finish to racing, the majority of the fleet dashed to the crane for lifting out prior to the prizegiving and BBQ. In summary the racing was excellent with some superb race management, and a credit to the two organising clubs.

Overall Results: