Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship at Warnemünde, Germany - Day 3
by Rachele Vitello 9 Jul 2023 00:18 BST
4-9 July 2023
Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship at Warnemünde, Germany © Pepe Hartmann
The intensity continues to rise in the highly competitive 2023 Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship, held amidst the renowned sailing festival of Warnemünder Woche. With two more races completed in fantastic sailing conditions, the competition remains fierce among the 32 teams vying for victory.
The North of Germany provided ideal conditions for the championship, with consistent winds ranging from 10 to 14 knots throughout the day. The fleet of competitors really enjoyed the opportunity to sail on the beautiful Star boats and embraced the fun of the races. In the first race of the day, fifth of the Championship, Jorgen Shoenherr and Markus Koy claimed victory, followed closely by Croatian duo Marin Misura and Tonko Barac. Currently leading the rankings, Piet Eckert and Frederico Melo (SUI/POR) secured a commendable third-place finish.
The second race brought some unexpected challenges, including a few disqualifications under the Black Flag rule. Unfortunately, overall leaders Eckert and Melo fell victim to an early start, necessitating the use of their discard to maintain their leading position. Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski emerged victorious in the race, showcasing their skills on the water. Hubert Merklelbach with Kilian Weise secured second place, with Heiko Winkler and Uwe Thielemann finishing in third.
Reflecting on the day's events, Eckert expressed mixed emotions, stating, "The third day of the Championship presented perfect sailing conditions. We had an amazing first race but faced disappointment in the second race. We were surprised to be called over the starting line with a black flag, alongside other boats. It seems there may have been a numbering mistake. Although we are still leading the rankings, the margins are narrow, and we cannot afford any mistakes."
With two final races scheduled for tomorrow in Warnemünde, the battle for the 2023 Star Eastern Hemisphere Championship title intensifies. The outcome remains uncertain as the teams strive for excellence and fight for the coveted championship victory.
Full results available here.
For more information visit ehc.starchampionships.org.