Even light winds can be handled by the 88. Warnemünder Woche don't stop

Just in time for the second weekend of the 88th Warnemünder Woche Summer has returned to the Baltic coast! Less welcome: Under the influence of a shifted Azores High with a high-pressure ridge over Europe, the wind also dropped. With winds of six to ten knots from northwesterly directions, many classes were worried this morning that not all races might be able to be completed. But that turned out not to be the case. 

Kielzugvogel

"Good winds for the migratory birds. We were able to sail three races and there were no problems in the starting phase today. I think all the sailors were completely satisfied," said race director Jan Büttner.

The forecast predicts winds for tomorrow that will be just barely manageable for sailing. "But we hope to get out so the keelboats can still sail," Büttner concludes, looking ahead to Saturday.

There have been slight changes in the standings compared to yesterday. Alexander Morgenstern has moved into the lead with today's three races. Yesterday's disqualified race, with 24 points, is now his discard score.

“I can’t really explain it. We were disqualified for alleged pumping, but we weren’t pumping,” Morgenstern explained regarding the disqualification in the second run the previous day.

The high discard score will indirectly put him under pressure, as he can no longer afford any major mistakes. Frank Schönfeldt is hot on his heels – currently, only one point separates the two. If the keelboats can start their races tomorrow, it promises to be an exciting finale. "I think the regatta will only be decided on the last upwind leg tomorrow. We're all very close," says Morgenstern.

Zoom8

Even the youngest sailors of the 88th Warnemünder Woche Three more races of their world championship were sailed today in light winds.

Austrian Jakob Gsell remains in the lead, maintaining his position with two wins and a fourth-place finish. Emily Kargl is close behind: with results of 3, 2, and 1 – including the day's victory in the third race – she holds second place and remains within striking distance. Tora Aviaya Hammershøj Callesen holds third overall, though she seemed to have more difficulty today than yesterday, losing some ground on the leaders with two fifth-place finishes.

The World Championship runs until Sunday – but the decision is far from over. Since the Zoom8s sailed today instead of their planned rest day, two more races are scheduled.

Corsairs

Yesterday afternoon, the race committee increased the number of planned races for today from three to four – out of concern that the wind might let the Corsairs down on Saturday. But the wind thwarted their plans today, albeit not until the fourth race. With a maximum wind of four knots, even the fast Corsairs couldn't get up to speed. The race was abandoned.

“That was actually good for us, as we were a bit behind at the time of the cancellation and probably wouldn’t have been able to catch up to the front. The cancellation was naturally frustrating for the leaders, Beate Wahrendorf-Kruck and her crewmate Ute Krock. We fought hard with them all day and would have loved for them to win!” summarized Silja Braun.

Conditions were very good again today, however the strong current presented a challenge for the crews. "We had to take that into account in all our decisions on the water today, which we managed to do well," said Braun.

Tomorrow, the two are hoping for a slight influence from thermals, when the land heats up more than the water and a sea breeze forms.

OK

Light winds up to ten knots and a westerly current – ​​for the OKs it was a solid start to the 88th. Warnemünder WocheAndré Budzien had a premonition of what the class might be in for. He predicted that light winds would pose a greater challenge for the OK dinghies. He was right.

Because the light conditions with current and some wind shifts required tactical sailing and constant anticipation from the fleet.

Budzien himself was hardly fazed, only encountering problems in the second run and finishing "only" in fourth place. The three-time world champion (2018 on this very same course off Warnemünde) otherwise took the lead in the overall standings with two first-place finishes. Cord Prignitz is in second place. Andreas Pich, who showed improved form throughout the day, is only a few points behind the leading duo in third place overall.

The next few days will show whether Budzien can defend his lead even in conditions that he believes are less suited to him.

J / 70

The crews of the 15 J/70s initially experienced better winds than forecast today and were able to complete all four planned races. After leading yesterday, Mats Schönebeck had to relinquish his position on the second day. Kai-Uwe Hollweg and his crew took over. With four strong results – three first places and one second – the J/70 skipper sailed to the top of the overall standings. Schönebeck, however, remains within striking distance.

“It was a fantastic day of sailing today. The current was difficult to judge, of course, but it was incredibly interesting to sail in those conditions,” says Kai-Uwe Hollweg. Sailing off Warnemünde for the first time, he is thrilled. “The organization is truly excellent, and it’s a lot of fun sailing off Warnemünde. These are fantastic, challenging conditions!” he says, describing his impressions of the sailing area.

He sees the forecast conditions for tomorrow as a new challenge. He and his crew are certainly looking forward to tomorrow, because after all, "we learn something new every day!"

Hobie 16

The Hobie 16 race committee feared this morning that the forecast wind might not be sufficient for the three planned races. They said that at six knots it would just barely be possible to sail the races.

Fortunately, the wind then rose above this threshold, allowing all races to be completed. Although there were some minor problems at the starts, requiring a few attempts before the fleet crossed the starting line after the starting signal.

After the first day, Stephan Schubert and Anke Delius showed the most consistent performance and are in first place. Calle Hulthin Sornsen and Wiebke Finkemeyer, as well as Nicolaj Björnholt and Stine Abratis, follow at a considerable distance.

First 18

The sailors of the First 18 were even able to enjoy slightly better conditions than predicted today. "At the beginning, we even had a bit more wind than forecast, so definitely a positive. In addition, there was a significant current component from the west with a few wind shifts, which certainly presented a challenge," explained race director Svenja Herziger.

She is particularly pleased that an additional race could be sailed. It was decided yesterday, as a precaution, to schedule another race in case the wind dropped significantly on Saturday. The class is now one race ahead of schedule.

Tom Bernstein currently leads the podium. Walter Wüllenweber follows just one point behind. He won the first two races today, but then faltered in the third, finishing fifth. After the fourth race, this result could become his discard. If the wind holds tomorrow, it promises to be an exciting finale.