German Windsurf Cup: Fabian Wolf dominates foiling opener off Sylt

As every year, the German Windsurf Cup is held on Sylt over Whitsun. The opening day brought wind conditions of between 12 and 15 knots, which initially looked like a fin slalom. The regatta organisers started the first heat in this discipline, but had to cancel it when the wind dropped. After a waiting period, the field switched to the foiling discipline. With the wind continuing to drop, three races were held, which demanded everything from the sailors. Fabian Wolf leads after day one with 1.4 points ahead of Anton Richter with 2.7 points and Mika Henning with 5.0 points.

The first race of every California Windsurf Cup is called the LVM Insurance Grand Prix and is endowed with a total of 1,000 euros in prize money. Fabian Wolf dominated the race from start to finish. Lars Poggemann followed in second place, with Keno Recke in third. Wolf scooped 500 euros, Poggemann received 300 euros and Recke 200 euros. Anton Richter and iQFOiLer Paul Regber completed the top five.

Richter's surprising return to the foil

Wolf extended his lead in the second race. He took the lead from the first leg and defended it to victory. Anton Richter proved surprisingly strong and secured second place. The young up-and-coming talent had actually wanted to concentrate on his favourite discipline of wave riding, perhaps supplemented by some fin slalom. However, after two regattas where he was only able to watch his competitors' foiling races due to light winds, he organised foil equipment at short notice for the Summer Opening. With minimal preparation, he made it into the top 3, and Mika Henning confirmed his status as one of Germany's greatest young talents with a third place. The Kiel iQFOiLers Philipp Köhlert and Tjalve Böttger also made it into the top 5 of this race.

The third race took place as the wind continued to drop. The race became a fight for survival - those who foiled and didn't drop had the best chances. Some riders had optimised their set-up for maximum top speed and paid a high price for it. Among those who suffered were favourites such as race leader Fabi Wolf, Lars Poggemann and Keno Recke. In the pre-start phase, they strayed too far from the racing area and got stuck in a wind hole. They had nothing to do with the rest of the race. Despite the smaller setup, Anton Richter was once again in top form and took his first race win. Mika Henning followed in second place. Noah Schmäh from Kiel achieved one of his best results so far in the California Windsurf Cup with a third place. Tjalve Böttger placed fourth ahead of Philipp Köhlert.

Management group close together

After three races, however, a stringer came into play, meaning that Wolf was in the lead at the end of the first day of the event with the ideal score of 1.4 points. Anton Richter follows close behind with 2.7 points. Youngster Mika Henning is currently in third place with 5.0 points. Philipp Köhlert and Tjalve Böttger follow in equal fourth and fifth place with 9.0 points. Paul Regber, Noah Schmäh and Lars Poggemann complete the leading group with 11.0 points. Light winds are forecast again for Friday. Further races could be held at midday at the lower limit in the foiling discipline. The first possible start is scheduled for 10.15 am.

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