18ft Skiffs German Tour 2011 round one

by Frank Quealey on 22 May 2011 Berlin Syndikat, skippered by Philipp Nocke and crewed by Paul Wiebel and Julius Adomeit, won a closely fought Round One of the German 18ft Skiff Tour 2011 in Southern Germany.

With defending champion Liberty Sailing Team, from Hungary, not present to defend her title, a fleet of ten German teams contested the 12-race regatta over three days.

The weather forecast for Day One was between 4-16 knots so it was a chance for every team to show its potential.

After racing on Day One's four races, two Berlin teams Berlin Syndikat and Magic Marine (Norbert Peter) jointly led the point score, while another fancied competitor EuroLink (skippered by interim helm Mike Keser) was forced to retire from Race 4 after destroying her pole in a capsize.

The following day, in lighter and tricky conditions, saw the fleet waiting ashore until signalled onto the water. Four more races were shared between EuroLink and Berlin Syndikat with both teams also equal on the leader board.

Magic Marine broke her forestay and missed the third race when her crew had to go back to the club and rebuild the rig. After the repair, the skiff didn't perform up to her previous standard.

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On the final day, the wind was between 5-12 knots for the showdown between EuroLink and Berlin Syndikat. Both teams were competitive from the start but the decision only came 100 metres from the finish on the last downwind leg.

EuroLink was leading in extremely light winds and went for the left side of the course to try and get extra wind along the coast. Berlin Syndikat chose the lakeside outer loop to get fresh breeze. This move proved more successful and Berlin Syndikat took the race and the title.

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Australian 18 Footers League website or Australian Flying 18s website