As in the previous year, the surf festival provided a successful setting for the Everyman Regatta organised by Leon Delle and Oliver Tom Schliemann. The exuberant atmosphere on the festival dance floor left its mark on some of the participants who had arrived early. Some of them only just made it in time to register for the Racer of the Sea on Saturday morning. Whether you were a recent arrival or a proud full-time festival camper, the conditions made all surfers' hearts beat faster. After rainy days, Saturday fulfilled all hopes and there was plenty of wind and above all: sun! Dreamlike! The almost summery atmosphere on land turned out to be pretty tough on the water. Chop and over 25 knots of wind showed their full strength. For some participants, the demanding conditions for racing were a little too much and they opted for the spectator option. For the 46 starters who dared to take on the course, there was only one thing to do: go for it! ... and of course to leave the water again without breaking a leg or mast.
Stormy Saturday at the Racer of the Sea
The field at the Racer of the Sea was divided into two divisions, which started separately. "Mixed", meaning fin and foil together, and "Fin Only", in which only fins were used. Despite the high winds, there were also some brave foilers in the mixed division on Saturday with Michele Becker, Pawel Dietrich, Leopold Senst and Tjalve Böttger. Even though the first few strokes were more like a rodeo ride on a bull gone wild than a slalom race, the foilers showed what potential the hydrofoils have even in strong winds. Michele Becker finished on the podium with his flying board behind Nico Prien and Dennis Müller on the Finn. Apart from that, there was a free choice of equipment for the start. From slalom and wave to freestyle equipment, everything was at the start.
Of the 68 participants in the Racer of the Sea, more than a third of the surfers - 24 U19 starters - were youngsters. The organisers were therefore delighted that it was very easy for young people to get started, as intended, and that the youngsters encouraged and motivated each other to race on the water. The youngest of all participants was only 10 years old and held his own on the course against competitors over 50 years old. The best lady in the field was Nadia Jablonski, who caused a stir not only because of her position as best lady. She was cheered from the finish boat for her front loop across the finish line.
The party continued on Saturday evening. After the participants had a barbecue together at the Racer of the Sea Pagoda and everyone had won one of the many prizes from the raffle provided by the many partners such as Starboard & Severne, it was time to hit the dance floor. Lina Erpenstein's set created a great atmosphere.
Sunny Sunday without a race
Sunday brought plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and a summery feeling, but there was no sign of wind. The over-motivated foilers tried their luck, but only made slow progress.
The day was therefore reserved for the award ceremony. The ladies, rookies and up-and-coming sailors took centre stage and were delighted to win their division. In the mixed category, Kai Ravesloot came out on top as the best newcomer to the regatta and was already hungry for more regatta experience on stage. In the Finn category, first place among the rookies went to Marius Bocker. The two Rulff brothers Merlin and Julian secured 2nd and 3rd place. In the mixed youth category, Leo Richter won just ahead of Marlon Maethner. Meno Büchler came third. Jesse Richter took first place in the Finn Youth classification ahead of the two young guns Philipp Köhlert (13) and Mika Henning (10).
The best racers of the sea in the various categories:
Mixed:
Rookie
1st Kai Raversloot
Overall
1. Nico Prien
2. Dennis Müller
3. Michele Becker
Teenagers
1st Leo Richter
2nd Marlon Maethner
3rd Meno Büchler
Ladies
1st Nadia Jablonski
Fin
Rookie
1st Marius Bocker
Overall
1. Kai Paustian
2 Tim Wunderlich
3. Markus Franziskowski
Teenagers
1st Jesse Richter
2nd Philipp Köhlert
3. Mika Henning
Further information about the Racer of the Sea and the next events can be found at:
www.racerofthesea.de
