Ulli Kurfeld wins OK Dinghy class in 2024 Warnemünder Woche
by Robert Deaves 15 Jul 03:54 PDT
Ulli Kurfeld has won the 2024 Warnemünde Woche with four race wins from six races. Jorgen Svendsen took second with Greg Wilcox in third. 36 OKs from six nations took part.
Warnemunde is renowned for great sailing conditions and this year did not disappoint. The two races on Friday were sailed in big waves and 14-18 knots from the north-east with fantastic surfing on the downwind legs. Kurfeld took two race wins with ease, with Pavel Pawlaczyk second and Wilcox third overnight. Patric Mure, Sebastian Kaule and Svendson also had a good day.
The wind had shifted to south-west on Saturday with a very shifty and patchy offshore breeze. While Kurfeld could not repeat his performance, the lighter winds allowed others to have a chance. After a pin end biased start, Robert Deaves led all the way in Race 3 for the win from Cord Prignitz and Andreas Pich. Svendson then won the second race of the day, again from Prignitz, and Benjamin Hammero.
This left the final day wide open with just 11 points separating the top eight boats. Again, the wind started offshore with a minefield of shifts, holes and pressure differences across the course. Kurfeld again dominated to win from Kaule and Henrik Kofoed. The final race was delayed as the wind swung 60 degrees after the Finns had started, but the course was eventually reset and again Kurfeld came off the start with speed and was never in danger for a fourth win, from Svendson and Wilcox.
During the week, plans were put in place for next year's European Championship, which will be held as part of Warnemünder Woche from 4-9 July (Equipment Inspection and Registration from 4-5, and racing from 6-9).
Full results here