505 European Championship at Medemblik, Holland - Day 1
by Iris Anton, translated by Morten Bogacki 30 Aug 2013 12:08 BST
28 August - 1 September 2013
505 Europeans at Medemblik day 1 © Annekathrin Ehrmann /
www.segelsportbilder.de
Two races in ideal conditions on the opening day
A total of 14 nations came to Medemblik to compete in beautiful late summer weather. With nearly 90 crews entered, 43 from Germany alone, this year's European Championship is the highlight of the sailing season for most European sailors. Some of the decorated and renown sailors are:
- Bojsen-Moeller & Bojsen-Moeller (DEN): 2nd Worlds 2010, Danish Champion 2011, multiple European Champion 505er
- Meike Schomäker & Holger Jess (GER): reigning European Champion
- Findel & Tellen (GER): 3rd Worlds 2006 & 4th Worlds 2009, 2x Junior World Champions, German Champion 2008/2009
- Pinnell (UK): World Champion 2008 with Crew Ian Mitchell (World Champion 1997&2006)
- Bogacki (GER): former 470 sailor, 505 Junior World Champion 2005, French Champion 505 in 2011
- Kellner, Schoeler (GER): 2x Kiel Week Winners in the 505
They are racing amongst many others on the Iljsselmeer where they were greeted by untypical light and shifty winds but 25°C and blue sky.
Comfortably on top of the leaderboard after two races are sitting Maximillian Weiss and Jonas Vogot, who only recently changed into the 505 and favour the light winds. They are followed by Ulf Pöeßmann/Hans-Heinrich Rix, who also had a good day in the difficult conditions. Currently 3rd overall are Meike Schomäker/Holger Jess, the reigning European Champions, who are still in the chase after they turned around a bad 2nd race on the last beat.
A total of 8 German boats are placed in the top 10 but with 7 races still to be sailed, a lot can happen. The forecast promises continuously building wins for the next days, a change for the heavier teams to catch up a few places.
More information and full results can be found in the event homepage at www.505euro2013.org