German Wingfoiling Championships - First ever wing foil event on the Baltic Sea
by Sensi Graves 12 Aug 2021 17:14 BST
29 July - 1 August 2021
Foil Festival and German Wingfoiling Championships © Julius Wenzel
On July 29th 2021, the Foil Festival and the German Wingfoiling Championships, simultaneously launched on the Baltic Sea resort of Schönberg. Over 10,000 guests were able to take part in the sporting competitions that occurred from July 29th through August 1st.
Attendees could demo wings and foils as part of the "Testival" or just enjoy the competitions. Around 30 manufacturers of foiling equipment offered their products for testing free of charge, and the offer was enthusiastically accepted by festival attendees. Even those who came only to watch quickly warmed to a multitude of offerings: milling about the show stage, watching exciting interviews with experts and athletes from the foil scene and listening to live performances by local bands.
The competition
The most exciting part of the event were the competitions. Over 50 athletes competed against each other in the disciplines of Surf Race and Surf Freestyle in four age groups. The GWA ran heats over the four days of the event and it was a sight to behold!
In moderately strong, gusty, and offshore winds, the local hero Klaas Voget, was able to assert himself against Henning Nockel and win the first German championship title in wing foiling! In the women's category, Jelena Duwe from Blekendorf won just beating out Alina Kornelli.
For the overall championship, Balz Müller came out on top in both Surf-Race and Surf-Freestyle.
"Our concept worked out perfectly," said Paul Peine, event organizer. "An innovative, exciting sport you can touch, good music and the unique atmosphere right on the Baltic Sea beach were once again the perfect ingredients for a successful festival weekend. We would like to thank our partners - especially the Ostseebad Schönberg - for implementing this project with us after a long dry spell without live events. "
"I am very happy that such a sports event for the whole family has found its place with us," is the positive conclusion of Schönberg's Mayor Peter A. Kokocinski. "Freiluft GmbH offered an attractive program for everything to do with the pier under the highest safety standards. Regardless of how much you are connected to this water sport, this event offered a high level of entertainment for both active people and spectators. "
Overall surf-freestyle winners
Men:
1. Balz Müller
Women:
1. Jelena Duwe
Juniors (Under 18):
1. Benjamin May
Kids (Under 14):
1. Hubert Christahl
Grand Masters (45 and up):
1. Henning Nockel
Masters (35-44)
1. Klaas Voget
Overall surf-race winners
Men:
1. Balz Müller
Women:
1. Jelena Duwe
Juniors (Under 18):
1. Benjamin May
Kids (Under 14):
1. Finn Flügel
Grand Masters (45 and up):
1. Henning Nockel
Masters (35-44)
1. Klaas Voget