Danish sailing-legend Claus Høj Jensen wins H-Boat World Championship 2021
by Nicolai Hald Jepsen 18 Aug 2021 12:31 BST
Claus Høj Jensen from Herlev Strand Sejlklub won his ninth world championship after a fantastic WC-series in Struer, where he finished first with just 20 point © Nicolai Hald Jepsen
Claus Høj Jensen from Herslev Strand Sejlklub secured his ninth world championship title at the H-Boat World Championship, which was held in the waters of the Limfjord, with Struer Sejlklub as host.
The Danish sailing-legend, Claus Høj Jensen, can add another world championship to his long list of titles, after his recent victory in the H-Boat World Championship, which was arranged and hosted by Struer Sejlklub in Denmark.
Claus Høj Jensen was the participant from Herslev Stand Sejlklub, and his fantastic WC-series was won by only scoring 20 point after 11 races. The strong Finnish sailor, Jan Forsbom, came second, while Anders Berthelsen from Aarhus Sejlklub came third to take the bronze medal after a great performance in the last three races Saturday.
It was a relieved Claus Høj Jensen, who after the title was secured, could note that the competition during the WC was just as hard as he had expected prior to the start of the event.
"It was just as hard as we expected. We had a tough fight with Finnish Jan Forsbom and German Holger Köhne. The conditions in the racing-area, in the waters of the Limfjord, was difficult with a lot of shifts in the wind, but we were able to have a solid and stable series, where our worst position was a seventh place", said Claus Høj Jensen.
Claus Høj Jensen could with this title add another star of victory to his boat, where nine stars now will be visible on the hull of the boat, as a sign of having won the world championship nine times. Claus Høj Jensen have, besides the WC-titles, also 12 danish championships to his name.
Anders Berthelsen from Aarhus Sejlklub was prior to the last races placed fourth, but managed to fight his way up the field, I. a. with a fourth place in the second to last race at the WC. That result secured him the bronze medal, just two points ahead of German Holger Köhne.
"We took the right decisions and kept the nearest competitors at a distance, but the conditions in the last races make it difficult, because of the increasing wind with blows up to 15 m/s", Anders Berthelsen happily stated after the last race.
The world championships had Struer Sejlklub as host, and it was a satisfied head of the regatta, Otto G. Jensen, who made status of the event after the weekend.
"It has been some fantastic days, where we have had great weather and fine wind conditions, for the main part of the races. It has also worked perfectly on land, aided by the help of the many helpers and volunteers, who have worked around the clock during the event", Otto G. Jensen concludes.
Struer Municipality has been co-hosting the regatta, and the city's mayor, Niels Viggo Lynghøj, is happy for the great recognition the city has received during the WC.
"The many activities in and around the world championship is noticeable. Not at least for Struer, but for all of the Northwestern Jutlandic area", Niels Viggo Lynghøj states.
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