Kieler Woche 2021 - Polish, Danes and Germans leading

Agata Barwinska already had a good laugh at the start. On Friday, she defended her lead in the Olympic ILCA 6 class © Sascha Klahn

Julia Büsselberg from Berlin defended her third podium finish in the Olympic ILCA 6 class behind Poland's Agata Barwinska and Hannah Snellgrove from Great Britain at Kieler Woche on Friday (September 11th).

Also in the 29er Euro Cup, Danish brothers Jens-Christof and Jens-Philip Dehn-Toftehøj now maintained the overall lead ahead of Anton and Johann Sach from Zarnekau. At the halfway point of the second leg, Carsten Kemmling (Hamburg) in the J/70 and Ole Schweckendiek (Kiel) in the men's international ILCA 6 also remained leaders, while Fabian Damm took over first place in the J/24 from Stefan Karsunke (both Hamburg). The strong breeze at times was not enough for the new Olympic iQ Foilers. Sebastian Kördel and Theresa Steinlein (both NRV Hamburg) remained inactive at the front.

Kieler Woche weather pro Meeno Schrader had predicted that sailing conditions would not get any easier with the departure of the summer-sunny high-pressure area. However, the intermittent drizzle did not bother any active sailors. It was the strongly fluctuating breeze that demanded a lot of patience and many an extra launch attempt. The Olympic ILCA 6 women finished the day with two races, the last of which was a local highlight. Julia Büsselberg took the day's win after finishing fourth earlier, climbing back onto the podium. The first had gone to England's Snellgrove, who is now two points ahead as a result. Poland's Barwinska lost her flawless sovereignty of the previous day, but still secured the yellow jersey after a slip-up (15th) by finishing fourth.

The Danish brothers Jens-Christof and Jens-Philip Dehn-Toftehøj were in the lead, but they were disqualified from the early start - photo © Sascha Klahn

The podium in the 29er Euro Cup also remains internationally occupied with black-red-gold. The Dannebrog of the Dehn-Toftehøj duo continues to blow at the top. After their fourth day win in a row, they impressively dominate the competition in the yellow group to qualify for the gold fleet and have a "clean slate" in the standings with four points. The pair of brothers did not want to judge whether they were cocky or careless, but "we are annoyed enough ourselves about the disqualification," the crew said in unison. With a black flag, they were over the start line too early in the fifth race. So far, however, that is their discard result.

"We'll stay on the carpet and continue to focus on every single race, where we're still learning a lot," said helmsman Anton Sach after another stellar day. After a sixth place, which he and his older brother Johann can stroke at the foresheet, the youngsters (13 and 16) landed a second and also took second place overall with nine points. For Robbert Huisman and Frank Boer from the Netherlands, this means a change of bibs on Saturday. They hand over the blue ones to the Sachs and take over the pink ones if the points are tied again. Second best Germans are Carl Krause and Max Georgi in fifth place behind the Swedes Malcolm Bjorsson and Johan Bengtson.

In perfect light wind trim, Carl Krause and Max Georgi (Rostock) sailed to fifth place - photo © Sascha Klahn

Carsten Kemmling and his crew continue to dominate the J/70 field. After the experienced sailing team had already recorded two start-finish victories on the first day after a slip-up in the midfield due to technical problems, they followed this up with another first place in the only race of the day and retain the superior lead with a five-point advantage. Coxswains Julian Ramm with the "Voice of Itzehoe" and Claas Lehmann on the J/70 "Helga" and their crews are tied on points in second and third place. It took time until the one rated race came about. Out of three, two were abandoned en route. "Nevertheless, we are satisfied with the day and happy with our performance," said Carsten Kemmling.

www.kieler-woche.de/en