New Zealand German connection in the Europe Dinghy

by Andy Greager on 28 Aug 2010
German-born New Zealand Europe Class Champion Antje Muller is taking on the veterans at their Global Cup on Lake Duemmer in Germany.

For over 20 years, mature sailors from all kinds of countries have been meeting in late August for good racing in pleasant social surrounds. With an age limit of 30 years or older for ladies, and 35 plus for the gents, the International Europe Dinghy Global Veteran Cup is attracting both new and seasoned sailors to enjoy fun but competitive sailing.

The character of the event is underlined by the number of young volunteers, many of whom are Europe dinghy sailors having pressed their parents to participate in their boats.

This year's edition in Germany got off to a very wet start, inundating the nearby city of Osnabrueck, which meant the planned excursion to that town with a welcome by the mayor had to be cancelled.

Cancelled was also the racing on Thursday. The competitors left shore in very light airs after lunchtime, only to drift back ashore in the early afternoon. The mood never suffered though, as the Club put on the 'landing beer' for the soaked sailors.

In the evening, the Club president welcomed the competitors from eight countries in four languages. Following the official part, the visitors and locals alike were treated to a very typical eel feast. You have to munch your way through a complete (that includes the head) smoked eel and wash it down with a strong clear German Schnaps.

Though the comeraderie on shore is terrific, no quarters are given on the water. Racing started early on Friday with a moderate breeze building slightly towards the afternoon. Some of the seniors (and we are talking Seniors, the oldest competitors being 82) considered two races quite enough, but a good part of the 60-strong fleet finished the third race too.

Antje likes sailing no matter what, but performs better the more it blows. This year, she is sporting a new Quantum sail from kiwi sailmaker Greg Wilcox who has a loft in Potsdam, near Berlin in Germany. Even though she would have liked to put it to the test in the lighter airs on Thursday, Antje is happy the racing did not go ahead: 'In some of the faster drifting we did, I noticed that I was unable to point as high as most others. When I checked my mast rake next morning, I realised it had changed quite dramatically from when I last sailed the boat - so some adjustment was needed.'

In much better trim, Antje relished in the fresher conditions on Friday, finishing fifth, eighth and second. Currently, she is lying in third position and first female. There are still two days of racing to go, but the results are a great improvement from her performance in Quiberon in France two years ago. 'The new sail is definitely making a huge difference, and I have also lost some weight to be more competitive. More importantly though, the wind today was more than anything we saw in France in 2008', Antje comments.

To underline the friendly atmosphere of the contest, special prizes of the day went to the first of the second third (BEL 940), and the first of the last third, as well as Annette for capsizing three times and still finishing the third race.

For the final two days, the wind is supposed to lighten, but with the rain having ceased in the late evening on Friday, some nice sailing can be expected for the remainder of the regatta.

Segel Club Duemmer hosting the 2010 Global Veteran Cup for the Europe Dinghies - International Europe Dinghy Global Veteran Cup