Soling Europeans at Lake Balaton, Hungary - Preview
by Matias Collins 12 May 2006 17:50 BST
13-19 May 2006
The last road day for many Soling competitors
Tomorrow, Saturday 13th, sees the start of the 2006 Soling European Champinship & 2nd Mercedes Benz Grand Prix at Lake Balaton in Hungary.
With more than 11 countries, two continents and about 30 teams on the start list, most of them are on the road tonight to reach Balaton in time to official sailing season opening by the BalatonFured town administration and then later the fabulous sailing season gala dinner offered by one of the main sponsors of the event, Hotel Ramada Balaton.
The event will have a practice race on Sunday and later the opening ceremony at the Uni Hotel.
From Monday to Friday 9 races are scheduled, and reports, pictures and results will be posted shortly after each racing day at the event website www.solingeuropeans.com also for all the Hungarians, Klubrádió the Local Radio will be broadcasting the event.
Most teams will be fighting to take the European crown from the German MARINEPOOL team with Roman Koch, Maxl Koch and Gregor Bornemann who in 2005 won also the World Championship. AUT 117 Evita with Carl Auteried, Martin kendler and Udo Moser the World Masters champion in 2005 just won the Omega Cup in lake Chiemsee - will they be able to repeat the performance?
Since yesterday up to 15 Norwegians are on the road, a group of sailors and supporters who will be not only racing in Balaton but also promoting the next 2007 Soling European Championship & APL Race Week to be held in their home town Arendal.
A big local fleet also will be fighting for two important trophies; the classic boat (built before January 1st of 1980) and the best Hungarian team placed at the event.
And the young are not left behind where the traditional BSA Young Helm trophy donated by the RYA will be also available to the best helm aged 25 or under.