In the U17 and U19 age groups, Germany was represented by a total of seven youngsters (4 U19s, all from Berlin, 3 U17s from Bavaria and Saarland). In the week leading up to the European Championships, the team prepared with coach Diderik Bakker at a training camp supported by the DWSV and DSV. The training camp and regatta support were organised by the supporting parents.
The first day of the regatta was characterised by changing winds with peaks of up to 25 knots. Four races were held in all age groups. Nothing worked on Tuesday, a stormy depression blew through with winds of up to 40 knots. This meant that the groups for the gold and silver races were finalised after just one day of racing
Conditions were similar on Wednesday, with the wind still blowing at more than 25 knots, but a little more constant. This took its toll, with just three racers finishing within the time limit in some heats. "Why the youth races were not cancelled here will remain a mystery to us," said Dirk Meyer, chairman of the WSeV, who was on site as a supervisor.
The conditions didn't change much on the following days either. It wasn't until Friday that the wind died down a little and the marathon was started before more slalom runs were scheduled.
No Germans in the final races, Sophie Meyer in 10th place in the marathon
Sophia Meyer achieved her best result with 10th place after almost an hour and a half of racing across the Bay of Brester. Lenny Friemel showed what is possible in the U17 slalom with 2nd and 3rd place. In the end, he was the best German with 15th place. The final then took place in all groups without German participation. However, due to the Olympic mode with heats, gold and silver races, the winners were not always those who had dominated the week by up to 30 points.
"The potential is there, but the connection to the international top can only be achieved through targeted and more intensive training," summarised Dirk Meyer after a week of challenging conditions. "The international focus on the surfing foil class should prompt our clubs and associations to rethink and provide better support!" For example, two fathers who had travelled to the event at their own expense spontaneously took over the supervision on the motorboat. Poland, France and Italy took part with around 40 starters, with a focus on the U17s - "the talents for the 2028 Olympics are already competing there!" Due to a lack of organisation by the federations, the parents are planning to train during the Christmas holidays so that they don't lose touch. They are also still looking for U19 starters and women who would like to compete in the iQFoil.
- All rankings and results at iqfoilyouthjuniorclass.org
Tobias Frauen
Editor
