JOSEF HACKL WINS FIRST LIROS GERMAN RANKING EVENT

From The German Class - North Sails Cup, 2-3 April 2005 - The German Class has sailed the first race to count for the LIROS German Ranking 2005. Ten Melges 24s came to Kreuzlingen (Switzerland, Lake Constance) to sail together with 41 sports boats of all different types in the North Sails Cup. The Melges 24s were classified in their own class as well as under ORC-rule.

A stable high-pressure guaranteed a lot of sun but only light winds - on Saturday one race could be sailed and on Sunday 2 races were possible. This was the best the race committee could achieve in difficult conditions and all competitors were happy on complation of the event.

The regatta was dominated by AUT251 "Kookoboora" owned and helmed by Josef Hackl of Austria and his crew. The took 3 wins in a row to count 3 points. Second place went to GER 474 "Speedy-Ultrasun" of Gunter Tzeschlock and his crew with 6 points whilst SUI 382 "Aile" with Micahel Good and his crew took third having just returned from the SNIM regatta in Marseille.

Last but not least it must be mentioned that the Melges 24 is still competitive under ORC rule. AUT251 finished in 2nd place overall in the sportsboat class and GER 474 was 7th - a big surprise for many owners of new types of sports boats!