Raceboard World Championship 12 to 17.6.23: Record participation at Steinhuder Meer

The long raceboards are still very popular on the international regatta circuit. This is also reflected in the age range. The youngest participants are just 14 years old, while the Spaniard Paco Manchon at the other end of the scale is an impressive 76 - hats off! In addition to many Europeans, riders from Australia, the USA and even Argentina found their way to the centre of Lower Saxony. The Yacht Club Niedersachsen has taken over the organisation there on the northern shore of the Steinhuder Meer - a huge task: "We've been busy with the organisation for months," says Lothar Knopf, the YCN's sailing officer. "We are actually a sailing club, but we took on the task after Thomas Michaelis (DWSV Chairman & Head of Longboard Department) gladly took over last year. More than 80 helpers are currently ensuring that the Raceboard World Championships run smoothly."

Demanding conditions for the raceboard

There is no such thing as too little wind in raceboard regattas. The race starts even in 2 Beaufort winds, in which case good tactics and fitness are crucial - whoever can pump best has a good chance of winning. There were no official regattas on the opening day on Sunday, so everyone had the opportunity to explore the area on a raceboard. On Monday and Tuesday, there were five short races in all categories. The conditions were challenging, as Moritz Martin also realised: "We had very gusty and shifty winds, so sometimes it was a bit like roulette. But as always - in the end it's the best who come out on top," said the 2009 Raceboard Vice World Champion. Martin is currently in 13th place in the field of 111 men, making him the fourth-best German. Directly ahead of him are Markus Bouhier (12th) and Fabian Aldinger (11th). The best German is currently Andre Hartung in sixth place. In the men's race, Poland's Maksymilian Wojcik is in a commanding lead with four race wins ahead of Spain's Jorge Maciel Andres and Alexander Buchau.

Jennifer Bouhier on course for a medal

In the women's race, 28-year-old Jennifer Bouhier from Windsurfing-Club Jade has good prospects on the raceboard. After five races, she is in third place. Three second places keep her within striking distance of the leading Czech Jana Slívová, who is level on points with the American Farrah Hall. In the 25-strong women's field, 13 German surfers make up the strongest nation - something other windsurfing classes could only dream of.

The youngest on the raceboard are only 14 years old

Andrej Oberreich and Alexander Huber are the two youngest participants at the World Championships. Both were born in 2009 and can gain experience in the international U23 category. There is an exciting neck-and-neck race here. The top four raceboarders are separated by just five points after five runs. Robin Rockbauch is still within striking distance of the podium in fourth place with 20 points. This is currently occupied by Dani Sánchez from Spain (15 points), Frenchman Titouan Halluitte (18) and Slovakia's Ondrej Szitás.

Raceboard World Championship runs until Saturday

However, the World Championships on the raceboard will not be decided until next Saturday. The Current wind forecast promises relatively good winds of up to 18 knots for today. But there will also be exciting races on the Steinhuder Meer on the following days. Have a look!

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