Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Kieler Woche Day 3: A Tough Test for Athletes and Equipment

by Kieler Woche 23 Jun 13:08 PDT 21-29 June 2025
Ukraine's Semen Khashchyna had to relinquish the lead on the third day of the ILCA-6 World Championship at Kieler Woche © Sascha Klahn / Kieler Woche
previous next

Fresh to strong southwesterly winds with stormy squalls pushed participants to their limits on Monday at Kieler Woche.

Despite numerous capsizes, the best of the best in the Sailing Grand Slam of Olympic disciplines proved they could master the opposite conditions after the light wind races of the previous two days. Physical endurance was also key in the ILCA 6 Men's World Championship, the 29er Eurocup, and the German Offshore Sailing Championship.

From a local perspective, the standout performance came from the 49erFX women's team of Marla Bergmann and Hanna Wille (Hamburg), who placed ninth and second to remain the top team of the day. The European champions are just one point ahead of Sophie Steinlein and Catherine Bartelheimer from Bavaria, despite the latter having to forfeit a race. Katharina Schwachhofer and Elena Stoltze from Lake Constance are in third place.

The men's field of the iQFOiL Games at Kiel Week on a course race with Fabian Wolf from Kiel in the blue jersey. Photo: Sascha Klahn/Kieler Woche While the 49er men were unable to race due to increasing winds by midday, the iQFOiL windsurfers thrived in the conditions off the eastern shore near Stein. Spray flew across the outer fjord, with Poland's Tomasz Romanowski still leading, now tied on points with Korea's Gunhak Choi. Kiel's Fabian Wolf said he "did a lot right, but had just as much bad luck with seaweed," which slowed him down. He remains just four points behind the leaders.

Young talent Sophia Meyer had a stellar day. The 20-year-old broke through the dominance of the top four French sailors in four races and is now only four points behind leader Marion Couturier. "I'm surprised myself how well it went, even though the conditions felt like a 'survival battle'," said the Kiel native, who is now on track for her goal. Meyer: "I definitely want to make the Kieler Woche podium - ideally the top spot."

The ILCA 7 competition remained firmly in Italian hands, with Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini leading ahead of Dimitri Peroni. Former world champion Philipp Buhl climbed onto the podium with two seventh-place finishes. However, the man of the day was Berlin's Justin Barth, who followed a race win with a fourth-place finish and is now sixth overall. "Everything came together - good starts, a solid read on the wind shifts under the clouds, and some lucky timing," said the 23-year-old, who is looking forward to Tuesday's media course and live broadcast on KielerWoche.TV.

Three strong-wind races repeatedly shook up the ILCA 6 standings. Despite discarding a poor result in the first race of the day, Australia's Elyse Ainsworth took the yellow jersey, just ahead of Denmark's Anna Munch and Hungary's Mari Erdi. The competition remains tight, making the medal race qualification for the top ten (Wednesday) wide open if similar conditions persist.

With two flawless wins in the blue qualification group, Italy's Alessandro Cirinei took the yellow jersey as overall leader in the ILCA 6 World Championship. "It was really tough out there, but I handled it well," said the new leader, who pushed Ukraine's Semen Khashchyna from first to third. Hungary's Benedek Héder remains second overall with a fifth and a second-place finish. The gap from the podium to the Canadian, Italian, and Danish chasers is already 13 and 15 points. Germany's Levian Büscher just made it into the top ten.

Previously dominant Norwegians Nicklas Holt and Philip Forslund lost ground in the 29er Eurocup due to the strong winds but held onto their overall lead ahead of the advancing Polish team of Szymon Kolka and Bartosz Zmudzinski. The strongest challengers now come from New Zealand: daily leaders Nelsen Meacham and Joe Leith (1st/3rd) are followed by William Leech and William Mason. The interim results promise an exciting final day for the podium.

Tuesday also marks the end of the inshore portion of the International German Offshore Sailing Championship. Danish professional helmsman Jesper Radich continues to dominate the ORC A/B class with the XR-41 "Formula X." Berlin's Jens Kuphal held onto second place overall with "Exciter" in the day's only race but will face strong competition from the identical "WB IX" from Italy and Denmark's "DIXI V" on the final day. "The position battles among the four of us are incredibly intense," said Radich, who lost at least one duel to the Italians the previous day. In ORC C/D, Sweden's Patrik Forsgren used a race win with "Garmin Team Pro4u" to tie on points and displace Torsten Bastiansen and his Flensburg-based "Sydbank" crew from the top spot.

Full results here

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted today at 2:43 am
Antonini Navi presents the new project SUY110
Bringing cruising pleasure and the comfort of a high-tech resort to a 34m yacht Antonini Navi expands its Sport Utility Yacht range with the SUY 110, the second yacht in the series designed by Fulvio De Simoni. Posted on 11 Jul
Sirena 60 set for world debut at Cannes
Contemporary lines, originally conceived by Frers Naval Architecture, have been thoughtfully updated Sirena Yachts is preparing to launch the first hull of its new Sirena 60 model. This new yacht offers more space for lounging, improved storage, and a stunning modern aesthetic compared to its predecessor, the Sirena 58. Posted on 11 Jul
IMTRA introduces Zipwake PRO
The ultimate upgrade to Zipwake's award-winning Dynamic Trim Control System IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today the introduction of the newest innovation in vessel pitch and roll control, Zipwake PRO. Posted on 10 Jul
Silent Yachts launch solar-electric SY80 catamaran
Ready for its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 Silent Yachts has completed its most complex project to date. The Italian builder's first SY80 solar-electric catamaran has been launched and is preparing for its world debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 (9-14 September). Posted on 9 Jul
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Grand Trawler 63
A new benchmark in elegant voyaging With the launch of the Grand Trawler 63, BENETEAU sets a new benchmark in long-distance luxury cruising. Posted on 3 Jul
Maritimo M50Palm Beach Motor Yachts