The California Windsurf Cup came to Pelzerhaken for the first time, partly to attract newcomers to the regatta in relatively easy Baltic Sea conditions. This seems to have worked, with over 40 starters, the DWC had a full field of participants. In addition to top German starters such as Michele Becker, Fabian Wolf and Co. there were also professionals from abroad.
Official races were held on two of the three race days. A total of five complete eliminations in the foiling discipline and three fin slalom eliminations were completed. Fabian Wolf from Kiel dominated the event with victories in both disciplines.
"We are delighted with the successful start. Pelzerhaken has shown itself from its best side. The California Windsurf Cup now has a new strong location for the top German windsurfing series," says Matthias Regber from Choppy Water GmbH. The German Windsurf Cup wants to organise another event in Pelzerhaken next year, and the Lübeck Bay Tourism Agency and Choppy Water have already agreed on a long-term collaboration until at least 2026.
Fabian Wolf just ahead of Michele Becker in foiling
In the foiling discipline, three drivers - Fabian Wolf, Michele Becker and Dutchman Bob van den Burgt - were able to record heat wins. As there were no more races on Sunday, nothing changed in the rankingWolf and Becker are both neck and neck at the top of the rankings with 2.0 points. However, Wolf prevailed in the tie-break and secured victory in the foiling discipline. Michele Becker, who had to pull out early due to injury, came second ahead of Dutch World Cup pro Bob van de Burgt with 5.0 points. Jonne Heimann followed just three points behind with 8.0 points. The newly crowned Formula Windsurfing Master World Champion Pawel Dittrich from Poland took fifth place in the foiling discipline. In the women's event, Alisa Engelmann put in a sensational performance in her personal debut in the California Windsurf Cup, finishing eighth in the strong field of participants ahead of Lia Franke and Pauline Bruch.
Paul Regber won the Junior U17 category with an eleventh place overall ahead of Mika Henning and Mario Boekstegers. In the Youth U19 field, Erik Wehkamp came seventh overall ahead of Jesse Richter and Pelle Bo Behrendt. Tjalve Böttger won the Youth U21 category ahead of Keno Recke and Henning Schultz. Pawel Dittrich won the Grandmaster Ü50 classification with a strong 5th place overall ahead of Bernd Timme and Thies Paustian. Tjalve Böttger won the iQFOiL classification ahead of Paul Regber and Julian Ahrens. On the Techno Windfoil equipment, Tom Franke came out on top ahead of Oke Hochschild and Lia Franke.
Wolf is clearly in the lead in the Fin Slalom
Fabian Wolf also triumphed in the Fin Slalom discipline. The decision was already made on Friday. He scored points in the three races with a first, a second and a third place. As every racer can cancel their worst result after three races, Wolf secured victory in the Fin Slalom with 2.0 points. Jonne Heimann and Justus Schott fought a thrilling battle for second place. At the end of the California Windsurf Cup Pelzerhaken, both were neck and neck with 4.0 points behind Wolf. However, Jonne Heimann came out on top in the tie-breaker because Schott had an early start in the last race. Danish pro Thomas Sehested followed with 6.0 points ahead of Felix Wehkamp, who completed the top 5.
As a result, Wehkamp also secured victory in the Youth U21 classification ahead of Keno Recke. In the Youth U19 category, Jesse Richter came out on top ahead of Thies Johnson and Pauline Bruch. Mika Henning won the Junior U17 category ahead of Mario Boeckstegers and Jesper Mo Thomsen. In the women's field on the fin, Pauline Bruch came out on top ahead of Lia Franke. In the Grandmasters U50 category, Oliver Schott was in top form with a 6th place overall, ahead of Michael Brozio and Bernd Langbehn. Tom Franke won the Techno 293 special classification ahead of Hannes König.
Fabian Wolf dominates overall classification in Pelzerhaken
With first place in both disciplines, Fabian Wolf naturally also dominates the overall classification, in which both individual disciplines are combined. With an ideal score of 2.0, Wolf secured overall victory at the California Windsurf Cup Pelzerhaken. Jonne Heimann follows in second place after a second place on the fin and fourth place on the foil. Lars Poggemann secured 13 points and third place on the podium with 6th place on the foil and 7th place on the fin. Keno Recke and youngster Mika Henning complete the top 5 at the California Windsurf Cup Pelzerhaken 2024.
Pauline Bruch won the women's event ahead of Alisa Engelmann and Lia Franke. Keno Recke won the Youth U21 category ahead of Felix Wehkamp and Tjalve Böttger. In the Youth U19 field, Jesse Richter came out on top ahead of Erik Wehkamp and Thies Johnson. Mika Henning won the Junior U17 category ahead of Mario Boestekers and Paul Regber, while Michael Brozio triumphed ahead of Paweł Dittrich and Oliver Schott in the Grandmasters U50 category.