Bayerischer YC win German J/70 Sailing League Act IV at Kiel

German J/70 Sailing League Act IV © DSBL / Lars Wehrmann

It was a heart-stopping final for the second Sailing Bundesliga and the penultimate appearance of the first division this weekend in Kiel.Sailing.City (14 to 16 September).

For the second league, it was about all or nothing, because it decided which four clubs make the promotion to the first league 2019. The four lucky ones are the Mühlenberger Sailing Club, the Schlei-Segel-Club, the Sailing Association 1903 and the sailing community Lohheider See.

For the 1. Liga it was the last, and thus groundbreaking, event before their big final in October. The Bayerischer Yacht-Club won the event, followed by Seglerhaus am Wannsee and the Rupenhorn Sailing Club. Over 10,000 spectators watched the races live on site, watching all the racers finish just meters off the seawall finish line!

"It was a great event, which fits well with the city of Kiel and were very satisfied with the excitement and enthusiasm of the sailing clubs and the spectators. The 10,000-plus spectators was fantastic to see, it reflects the passion people have for this short-course, sailing league format.

We look forward to hosting the Bundesliga again next year and thanks to the organizers, all the helpers and the sailors," said Gerwin Stöcken, City Councilor for Social Affairs, Housing, Health and Sport of the City of Kiel.

Second Sailing Bundesliga

Even though the Mühlenberger Segel-Club was already determined as a premature qualifier for the 1st Sailing League in 2019, the other 17 second division teams still had plenty of pressure and tension in the air. In the end, after a total of five events, these four clubs are in the lead in the overall classification and are rewarded with the promotion to the 1st Sailing League 2019: Mühlenberger Sailing Club, Schlei Sailing Club, Sailing Association 1903, Sailing Association Lohheider See.

"It was a very demanding event here in Kiel, especially because we had to make a crew change due to illness. Nevertheless, we are thrilled that we have qualified for the 1st Sailing League," said helmsman Andreas Willim after the event in Kiel. He sailed with Chris Hartkopf, Henning Sohn and Suzanne Willim.

Podium - Prize giving - photo © Event Media

First Sailing Bundesliga

The first League teams "rehearsed" in Kiel one last time, hoping to secure the best possible outcomes for their final next month in Hamburg.

The reigning German champions in Kiel weakened a bit with a fifth place finish, but the Norddeutsche Regatta Verein, as the championship leader with an eight point gap, still have a very good chance to defend their title in front of the home crowd.

Currently, in second place overall is the Bavarian Yacht Club, and sitting in third position is Seglerclub Hemelingen in third place. The final of the 1st Sailing Bundesliga will take place from 18 to 20 October in Hamburg.

Did you miss the races of the Bundesliga? Then simply go to sapsailing.com to watch race replays and review the scoring for individual events and the overall leaderboard.

More Deutsche J/70 Segel Bundesliga sailing information