German teams sweep J/70 Women's SAILING Champions League Qualifier

German podium at Women's SAILING Champions League Qualifier 2023 © SAILING Champions League

The Women SAILING Champions League is an exclusive event in the sailing world and presents the best women sailors from around the world. The Berliner Yachtclub hosted the Women SAILING Champions League qualifiers this year from 28-30 April, with the sailors competing in a fleet of evenly matched J/70 one-design class sailboats.

Twenty-one women's teams from seven nations (Germany, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Finland) competed for a place in the Women's SAILING Champions Final in Sundby, Denmark. The qualifier in Berlin was blessed with good sailing conditions all three days of the event, permitting the BYC's Race Committee and PRO team to run 45 races, plus the finale of four races to determine the winner.

Day One

The first day saw optimal weather conditions with 8 to 14 knots and sunshine. Good starts were achieved by the German club Württembergischer Yachtclub and the Dutch team WSV Giesbeek.

The German teams had a great day and were able to finish several times in the podium positions. Also sailing well were the Swedish team Segelsällskapet Åmålsviken and the German team Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee. At the end of the day, the German team was able to use its home advantage to defy the unpredictable Lake Wannsee.

Day Two

The weather was cloudy and overcast until late afternoon. But, by late afternoon the sun was shining and the wind conditions were optimal with up to 10 knots.

The German team Norddeutscher Regattaverein showed a consistently very good performance after struggling with starting problems yesterday. The Swiss team Regattaclub Bodensee was in the middle of the overall standings, while the other Swiss teams dominated the lower end of the table.

The top 14 teams qualify for the Final in Sundby and it was still all up for grabs at the top of the overall standings. At the end of the day, the Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee team came out on top again, followed by the Norddeutsche Regattaverein, and the Münchener Yacht-Club.. that meant the German teams were holding on to a clean sweep of the podium.

Day Three Finale

The final day saw the best conditions of the weekend with champagne sailing conditions- sunshine and up to 12 knots of wind. After a total of 15 flights and 45 races, the top teams were shaken up once again, as they battled it out for a spot in the Final Four.

In the end, it was Münchner Yacht-Club that claimed victory in the Final Four. The team had already won the first race of the Final Four, and after a tense second race won by the Lake Wannsee club of Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee, they took home the victory in the final race of the event.

The four teams that advanced to the Final Four were the Norddeutscher Regattaverein, Münchner Yacht-Club, Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee, and Yacht Club Polski Szczecin. These teams put on a fantastic display of sailing, showcasing their skills, and teamwork to the enthusiastic crowds.

With the end of the Qualifier event, a total of 14 teams have now qualified for the Women's SAILING Champions League Final in Sundby, Denmark- Münchner Yacht-Club, Norddeutscher Regattaverein, Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee, Yacht Club Polski Szczecin, Akademischer Segelverein Warnemünde, Segelsällskapet Åmålsviken, Regattaclub Bodensee, Württembergischer Yacht-Club, SZTORM GRUPA, WSV Giesbeek, Berliner Yacht-Club, ISKRA AMW, Kieler Yacht-Club and Kongelig Norsk Seilforening from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway.

The event was a great success, with all teams displaying excellent sportsmanship and sailing skills. The Berliner Yacht-Club was a fantastic host, and the weather was perfect for the event.

"We are delighted with the success of the Women's SAILING Champions League Qualifier event, and we can't wait to see what the Final in Sundby, Denmark will bring," said Oliver Schwall, CEO and founder of the SAILING Champions League GmbH.

More Women's SAILING Champions J/70 League sailing information here.