Tornado Worlds – Tough kick-off as the Greeks head for title defense

by Icarus Sailing Media on 13 Jun 2016 The Lake Constance claimed its tribute during the first two races at the world championship of the Tornado class in Lindau.

Numerous capsizes and damages lead to significant numbers of retirements. Eleven competitors only out of 32 could finish the first race. Paul Bastard, the principal race officer, delayed the second race allowing several damaged boats to be repaired in time for the second race of the day, which resulted in 18 boats finishing this time.

Iordanis Paschalidis and Konstantinos Trigonis of Nautic Club Thessaloniki in Greece won both races and lead the overall standings.

Bob and Marc Baier are placed second with a third and a second. The father and son crew, from the Segelclub Füssen/Forggensee (SCFF), is not particularly experienced in the Tornado for long time, but Bob is a multiple champion in the A-Cat, another multihull class.

The sailors were challenged to the maximum on the Lake of Constance. 'The short and steep waves were unfamiliar for many“, said Juergen Jentsch, the Bavarian President of the international Tornado association (I.T.A.). He himself had to suffer from a collision with driftwood at the first start, and had to abandon the race after his steering gear was ringed out of one hull. He hopes to have it repaired by tomorrow. Many boats capsized in strong winds of up to 20 knots. A great number of damages happened in the first race. Partly broken rigs, torn sails and even a lacerated face, which had to be stitched by a doctor.

Safety boats from the host club, water police and water rescue were busy rescuing sailors and towing home damaged boats.

Missing from the start were the last years co-favourites and vice world champion Roland and Nahid Gaebler from Bremen. Nahid having suffered from a horse riding accident. The resulting back pain was so severe that after sailing in the practice race they decided to drive home. Another champion, Veit Hemmeter, the local hero from LSC was obliged to withdraw his registration, due to job-related reason.

The next race is scheduled for Monday at 1 pm.

Tornado Worlds 2016, Lindauer Segler-Club, Lake Constance
Results after two of 10 races (32 crews from 11 nations)
1. Iordanis Paschalidis/Konstantinos Trigonis, GRE, two points
2. Bob und Marc Baier, GER (Füssen), five points
3. Gavin Colby/Billy Leonard, AUS, six points
4. Brett Burvill/Estela Jentsch, AUS/GER, 12 points
5. Bill Caunce/Aaron Duncan, NZL, 14 points
6. Maria Tsaousidou/Michalis Papadopoulos, GRE, 16 points