German J/70 Sailing League - May 2025 Update

German J/70 Sailing League © DSBL / Sailing Energy

The 2025 German J/70 Sailing League could not have gotten off to a better start. In perfect spring weather, three days of sailing took place on the Kiel Fjord, directly in front of the Olympic Harbor. While the first day's offshore winds demanded the crews' knowledge of the area, Saturday morning's calm strained the participants' nerves. However, with little wind, a few flights were possible. Then on Sunday, there was a fresh breeze and bright sunshine.

Not only the perfect sailing weather contributed to the crews' good spirits, but also the evenings spent together on Friday at the "Lönneberga" in Strande and yesterday with beer and gin and tonics from partner Gin Sul.

As in previous years, the first league event of the year was very special for all participants. It wasn't just about testing out on the water who would emerge from the winter break particularly well, but also about a reunion with the entire "league family."

"The league sailors had a perfect start to the new season; the changing conditions demanded true all-round skills," says Anke Nowak, Managing Director of the German Sailing League. "A big thank you to the Olympic Harbor in Kiel Schilksee, where we were able to use a large event space."

After the first day of competition, the Berliner Yacht-Club (BYC) team took the lead in the 1st Sailing Bundesliga. Second place went to the team of the record champions, the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV), ahead of the defending champions, the Mühlenberger Segel-Club (MSC). "The conditions were perfect today, probably the best sailing day of the entire season with great wind," said Philip Raabe, trimmer of the league-leading BYC. "It was a perfect day for us. We improved day by day and achieved only first places in the four races today."

In the 2nd Sailing Bundesliga, the Bocholt Yacht Club (BOH-YC) took the lead, followed by the Württemberg Yacht Club (WYC) and the Lübeck Yacht Club (LYC). This means that teams from three different German states are represented at the top of the 2nd Sailing Bundesliga.

"Overall, it was a fantastic event, with excellent weather and constant wind," said Thorsten Willemsen of the Bocholt Yacht Club after the event. "After the first few races, we found our rhythm, the boat speed was right, and then we were just doing well." The organizers of the German Sailing League were also thoroughly satisfied with the first round of the season; all fans and spectators on land were able to follow the results directly for the first time via the Trac Trac app.

"On the second day, we had the opportunity to show our new partner Rohde & Schwarz the action-packed races directly on the water," says Anke Nowak. "With some teams, it was clear from their cautious starts that we were still at the beginning of the season, but they all improved from race to race."

The next matches will take place from May 23 to 24, 2025, in Kiel on the Inner Fjord. The host is the Kiel Sailing Camp.

League information: deutsche-segelbundesliga.de