North Sails Cup Report

Günter Tzeschlock reports from Germany on the North Sails Cup 2007 which took place this past weekend - 14th./15th. April at Kreuzlingen on Lake Constance in Switzerland (Photo credit Tobias Störkle). This was the first event in the German-Suisse-Austrian Ranking 2007 and also featured the first appearance by some of the new Czech Republic Melges 24 members who were warmly welcomed by their fellow competitors.

This regatta is an ORC/ISRA race but if classes are able to register more than 8 boats it is possible to get a class-ranking as well and with 11 Melges24 we could achieve this easily.

On one hand a compromise as we have to sail against other type of boats on the other hand a good possibility to present the Melges24 to sailors from other classes.

Due to the high-pressure with high temperatures, up to 28 degrees, the wind was absent on Saturday and on Sunday only a little breeze filled in and enabled the race committee to hold 2 races – a third race had to be cancelled just shortly before the finish line as the wind died completely.

From the beginning SUI 684 “Sonnenkönig” owned by Armin Schmid and helmed by Suisse Olympic 49er sailor Tom Ruegge took the lead and could win the first race. A second place in race 2 just - behind SUI 382 “ZeroTwo” owned and helmed by M24-oldie Michael Good – secured them the overall win with just 3 points. “Team Sonnenkönig” is very motivated to sail the Melges24 beside their national campaign with a Farr 36 and already shows big talent. Second place was taken by Alba Batzill/Eddy Eich on GER 582 “No Woman no Cry” with 7 points closely followed by CZE 692 “Acapulco” owned by Y.F.A. and helmed by Rodek Smetana.

As usual the results were close: 7th placed “Acqua” was just 3 point behind place 3 – but that’s the stuff which makes M24 sailors happy.

It’s worth mentioning that the Melges24 class is still competitive under ORC/ISRA handicap rule. 7 Melges24 were placed among the top 15 of the 50 competitors and “SUI 684 - Sonnenkönig” could take second place in the Overall-ranking.

The German Class is now preparing for its next ranking event “Melges24 Cup” at Tutzing (Lake Starnberg), 17.-19. May - 15 to 20 boats are expected.

Günter Tzeschlock

RESULTS

1 SUI684 - Sonnenkönig - Tom Ruegge - 3pts
2 GER582 - No Woman No Cry - Alba Batzill - 7pts
3 CZE692 - Acapulco - Rodek Smetana - 8pts
4 SUI382 - Zerotwo - Michael Good - 9pts
5 SUI578 - Music 55 - Michi Meister - 9pts
6 GER640 - Ka-Nalu-Nui - Günter Tzeschlock - 10pts
7 SUI530 - Acqua - Casper Büttner - 11pts
8 GER672 - Pearl - Peter Gockel - 15pts
9 AUT251 - Kookaburra - Josef Hackl - 18 pts
10 GER263 - No Limits - Andreas Bauer - 21pts
11 CZE666 - Radost II - Milan Hajek - 22pts