After a weather-related rest day at the start, the German Wingfoil Wave Championship finally got underway yesterday as part of the California Wingfoil Masters on Sylt. At the beginning, the organisers had to postpone the planned start as the high waves did not allow for a safe competition. However, their patience was rewarded when the water receded and the conditions improved significantly and the competition could finally begin
The men's event was a complete dingle elimination, a format in which each participant completes at least two heats and is only eliminated after the second defeat. As expected, the favourites prevailed in the preliminary round and met in the semi-finals. In the first semi-final, Julius Manthei prevailed against Tim Buchwald to secure his place in the final. The second semi-final developed into a duel between the top favourites, in which Jonas Manthei was able to hold his own against Moritz Schlicksbier, who had been promoted from Youth to Senior. The third semi-final was particularly exciting, with defending champion Klaas Voget coming out on top in a close decision against Lucas Mattes.
Klaas Voget uses his experience
In the decisive final, defending champion Klaas Voget showed all his class and routine. With a strategically clever heat plan, he was able to fend off the attack from his younger competitors and triumphed in the wave dingle elimination. The Manthei brothers completed the podium, with the younger Jonas coming out on top against his brother Julius in the family duel for second place. In the B final, Moritz Schlicksbier secured fourth place ahead of Lucas Mattes, who completed the men's top five. Tim Buchwald finished in sixth place, followed by Ole Furkmann and Sebastian Schacht, who shared seventh place.
Jelena Duwe confidently defends her title
In the women's final, defending champion Jelena Duwe put in a commanding performance. She impressed the jury with almost flawless wave rides and secured victory in the wave elimination. Aurelia Rick, who regularly trains in the Sylt waves, was able to make the most of her local knowledge and took second place. Tania Tamling completed the women's podium and secured third place.
The California Wingfoil Masters on Sylt will run until Sunday at Brandenburger Strand in Westerland. The focus for Thursday is on the youngsters. The Youth U19 and Junior U15 competitions are on the programme and the weather forecast promises good conditions, as the wind is expected to shift from onshore to sideshore. This wind direction not only makes wingfoiling easier for the participants, but also makes the action more spectacular for the spectators. There are also further decisions to be made in the freestyle and slalom disciplines
Results German Wingfoil Wave Championship
Gents
- 1st Klaas Voget
- 2. Jonas Manthei
- 3. Julius Manthei
- 4th Moritz Schlicksbier
- 5th Lucas Mattes
- 6 Tim Buchwald
- 7th Ole Furkmann
- 7 Sebastian Schacht
Ladies
- 1st Jelena Duwe
- 2 Aurelia Rick
- 3. tania Tamling
