18ft Skiff German Open Grand Prix 2011 days 1 and 2

by Frank Quealey on 25 Jul 2011 German Open 18ft Skiff Grand Prix 2011 is being held in Travemuende from 23rd until 26th of July. The event is the third round of the 2011 European Grand Prix.

Strong winds forced the race committee to cancel racing on days one and two of the mSE German 18ft Skiff Grand Prix.

With three British, one Danish and seven German teams set to contest the regatta, day one presented the fleet with 18-knot winds, which gusted to 35-knots, making conditions impossible for the skiffs.

Only one German team, Kaltenberger Ritter, skippered by Prinz Heinrich, attempted to sail. After some problems with their gennaker drop they fought their way back to the beach to join the other competitors.

Day two presented rain showers and again winds gusting up to 34-knots so the cancellation decision was generally accepted.

More moderate winds are expected for day three’s racing over the regular regatta courses, followed by three special format races right in front of a huge spectator crowd on river Trave. Each of these races will take only 10-15 minutes to sail and will be a great innovation to increase more spectator support in the 18 Footers Flying 18s website