Michal Strumnik wins Kieler Woche in OK Dinghy class
by Robert Deaves 20 Jun 2023 18:36 BST
17-20 June 2023
Michal Strumnik, from Poland, has won the OK Dinghy class at Kieler Woche from Denmark's Thomas Gabs and Germany's Sönke Behrens after three more races were sailed on Tuesday.
After three days of very light and tricky winds, Kiel saved the best to last with three tight races in 7-10 knots, though in early morning the förde was glassy calm and the forecasts none too promising.
Wearing the yellow jersey all day after his win on Monday, Strumnik was straight back into it with a clear win in the first race of the day after taking the left side on the first beat. Denmark's Jørgen Holm rounded second and maintained that to the finish with Sweden's Lars Bergfeldt in third.
Oliver Gronholtz, from Germany led the second race at the top though was UFD at the start. Greg Wilcox, from New Zealand rounded third and took the best of the pressure downwind to work out a nice lead, which he extended upwind for a huge win from Germany's Ralf Tietje and Gabs. Strumnik was back in 12th place to set up a last race showdown.
With everything still on for the final race, Strumnik again took the lead to win his third race of the series. Gronholz crossed second and a third place for Behrens was enough to move up to third overall.
It has been a frustrating week in Kiel with light winds and long delays, but as usual those who made the effort enjoyed the atmosphere and the after-race beer and sandwiches in the boat park.
Many sailors are now making the trek to Lyme Regis in the UK where the Ovington and Pro-Set Resins World Championship begins on Friday.
Overall Results: (top ten, 6 races)
1 POL 777 Michal STRUMNIK 17pts
2 DEN 76 Thomas GABS 25pts
3 GER 77 Sönke BEHRENS 37pts
4 SWE 2908 Laban SOREN 38pts
5 NZL 15 Greg WILCOX 39pts
6 SWE 2884 Lars BERGFELDT 41pts
7 GER 72 Oliver GRONHOLZ 44pts
8 SWE 14 Håkan SÖDERBERG 44pts
9 DEN 1554 Mads HANSEN 47pts
10 DEN 1577 Jørgen HOLM 47pts