Longtze European Tour - Overall winner and new developments for 2011

by Longtze European Tour on 30 Oct 2010 Longtze European Tour update: Experience triumphs, a victory for Eckhard Kaller and his team 'Wet Feet' last week at the Bodensee Cup, the final of the Longtze European Tour! The German crew took out the final and the European Tour 2010 without contest. Eckhard and his team's title will be up for grabs in 2011: many new crews are already in the start box looking to take it from them!

See you in 2011 for a new racing calendar...

The breeze was acting up on Lake Constance this weekend for the final of the Longtze European Tour: no wind on Friday, a little on Saturday, but a good medium breeze to finish…Phew!

In total, seven legs were raced, seven courses dominated by the German team ' Wet Feet' who took out the event with a lead of six points over Jarmo Wieland’s 'Shensu' and 13 over the Naval Academy crew led by Stéphane Christidis. The Longtze 'Voiles et Voiliers' finished fourth.

Talent, mastery, humility...
It is no surprise that the overall winner of the General ranking of the Longtze European Tour is Eckhard Kaller and his 'Wet Feet' team. Consistent on the European circuit since its beginning in 2009, they now have besides their talent, a command and a coordination of their Longtze that still beats any of the new crews in contention...

But that cannot last, much to the delight of the German sailor and master sailmaker: 'We are of-course very happy with this result! There’s no great secret to this, we have achieved this through the hard work put in by Seba, Theresa and Samy. We have been sailing together since the Longtze circuit was launched in Europe, and it has borne fruit. Jen, who replaced Samy (about to become a Father) on this final race, adapted perfectly to the team.

Our other strong point, is of-course our sails, North 3 DL (Eckhard is Master sailmaker at North)! We are faster up-wind than last year, especially in lighter winds.

And then, new teams coming onto the circuit also worked in our favour, but the regattas have always been really interesting. We will be back next year with pleasure, and we will try to participate in a maximum of events' comments Eckhard Kaller, Wet Feet skipper.

Top five jostle for position
The battle was tight throughout the season in the wake of the blue Longtze, evident in the fact that there is a very small margin in the overall ranking of the top five, only two points separating the second 'Shensu' and fourth place 'Ovik', while 'Carissima'(recently arrived on the circuit) is fifth with four points behind the fourth placegetter.

The crew of 'Voiles et Voiliers', different in each event is rewarded for its consistency: taking third place on the podium. Note also the fine performance of Jarmo Wieland (Shensu) on Lake Constance: Second in the final, he gained two places overall and climbs to the second step of the podium in 2010. Another team to follow closely…

Consistency
The other major factor of the Longtze Premier’s second European season is indeed the consistency of this circuit. Throughout the season, new owners, attracted by the Longtze, entered the race with the firm intention of participating in as many competitions as possible.

2010 was also the year the first Swiss national association was created. The Student circuit has transformed its 'debut' into a success. Serious contacts have been made in other countries to further develop Longtze Premier events...

In short, the Dragon’s sons are now one big family, united by the same contagious desire to sail for the sheer thrill of racing and the pure fun of sailing together. And this is just the beginning!

'The atmosphere is always excellent on the circuit! The newcomers are delighted, the German and Swiss teams are highly motivated, they all want to train seriously to be ready for next year', says Pierre Mas...

Rendezvous in early December at the Salon Nautique de Paris for the official awards ceremony of Longtze European Tour 2010 and the announcement of the 2011 race schedule: changes and new things to come...

Ranking of the Bodensee Cup, final of the Longtze European Tour
1 Eckhard Kaller (Germany) – WET FEET 5 points
2 Jarmo Wieland (Switzerland) – SHENSU 11 points
3 Stéphane Christidis (France) – ECOLE NAVALE – HEC SAILING TEAM 18 points
4 Laurent Berjon (France) – VOILES & VOILIERS 19 points
5 Markus Ziltener (Switzerland) – CARISSIMA 23 points
6 Matthieu Girolet / Georges Asperti (France) – OVIK 31 points
7 Michael Berenbach (Allemagne) – MAYCOR 32 points
8 Markus Graf (Switzerland) 34 points
9 Walter Schneider (Suisse) – OUTSIDER 36 points
10 Beat Frank (Switzerland) – QI 37 points
11 Orhan Gorbon (Turc) 39 points
12 Michael Begher (Germany) – CORVUS 39 points
13 Béatrice Maupas Sauvage (France) 63 points

For more information, please go to: www.longtze.org