2026 Star European Championship at Medemblik, The Netherlands - Day 3
by ISCYRA 28 Aug 07:58 PDT
24-29 August 2026
With severe weather forecast to reach the IJsselmeer during the afternoon, the Race Committee made the most of the morning conditions, sending the fleet away on time at 12:00 for what would prove to be the only race of Day 3 at the 2026 Star European Championship.
The breeze had shifted dramatically overnight, blowing from the south at around 14 knots, with gusts reaching 18 knots. Unlike the previous days, the offshore wind produced a highly unstable racecourse, with significant shifts and varying pressure across the course, creating one of the most tactical races of the championship.
At the first windward mark, Max Kohlhoff and Ole Burzinski (GER) rounded just centimeters ahead of five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt (BRA) and 2008 Olympian and 2024 Star World Champion Austin Sperry (USA) after a spectacular first beat. Behind the leading pair, a tightly packed fleet converged on the mark, resulting in contact between a couple of boats. Fortunately, there were no injuries and only minor damage, allowing the regatta to continue uninterrupted.
From that point on, the German World Champions delivered a masterclass in fleet management. Kohlhoff and Burzinski steadily extended their lead on every leg, holding off the relentless challenge of Scheidt and Sperry, renowned as one of the fastest downwind teams in the fleet. By the finish, the Germans had opened a comfortable margin over the Brazilian-American duo, while both teams had created a significant gap over the chasing pack.
Completing the podium was another outstanding German performance, with the young team of Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr finishing third to continue their impressive championship.
The introduction of the discard after today's race dramatically reshuffled the overall standings. Heading into the final day, Nick Heuwinkel and Jesper Spehr now lead the European Championship by a single point over Robert Scheidt and Austin Sperry, while Jørgen Schoenherr (DEN) and Ed Wright (GBR) slip to third after discarding today's 13th-place finish.
With the championship still very open, tomorrow promises a fascinating conclusion. In anticipation of potentially unstable weather, the Race Committee has amended the Sailing Instructions, allowing for two possible races instead of the single scheduled race. The forecast currently predicts strong conditions, with gusts reaching 27 knots, leaving the final outcome dependent not only on the sailors but also on the weather.
Before the decisive final day, competitors will gather ashore for the championship dinner, sharing one final evening together before the battle for the 2026 European title reaches its conclusion.