The participants of the German Youth Championship arrived at the opening ceremony waving their national flags. Photo: segel-bilder.de
A colourful sea of flags surrounded by hundreds of children moved from the beach on Priwall to the SlowDown stage in Passathafen yesterday. This is where the official opening of the International German Youth Championship in the Optimist class took place.
Jens Kath, Sports Director of the Travemünde Week, warmly welcomed the Opti sailors from ten nations and was delighted with the large field of participants. Dr Harald Müller, Sports Director of the German Optimist Dinghy Association, then took the floor: “At the 135th Travemünde Week, we have one of the largest International German Youth Championships to date. From Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria, we are very well represented. Unfortunately, we still have our problem area between Saarland and Saxony-Anhalt. We are still relatively sparsely populated with Opti sailors and hope that things will improve in the coming years. I hope that we can manage at least ten, twelve or even 14 races at the IDJM so that a worthy German champion is crowned at the end. I am very proud that we have so many participants,” said Müller. He wished the athletes great sailing days and once again expressly thanked the surveying team, who spent four days preparing for the championship.
Noel Gonsett, Race Director of the International German Youth Championship, also took the floor and recalled his own Opti time: “Exactly 15 years ago, I also sailed my first German Opti championship here, so I can empathise with you and am happy for you.” He appealed to the sailors to sail fairly and make it easy for the race organisers.
Anja Hochbaum, representative of the DSV Youth Sailing Committee, said: “I am proud that you have all managed to qualify for this championship. We are keeping our fingers crossed for you and wish you every success, fair competition and, above all, lots of fun.” She thanked the organising club and the class association. She also announced the visit of the new sailing youth mascot “Skippi”. The blue and white penguin, whose name is a combination of skipper and penguin, is the new face of Seglerjugend, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Finally, Sporting Director Jens Kath and Overall Race Director Anderl Denecke declared the International German Youth Championship officially open.
The best Optimist team racers were also honoured as part of the opening ceremony. In the team race, which preceded the German Youth Championship, the German national championship team prevailed against the other club teams. Jesper Porthun, Jonny Seekamp, Tizian Lembeck, Nicolas Troeger and Paul Fiete Hickstein were delighted with the trophies and points for the world rankings. At the instigation of Manuel Hünsch, the deputy head of the Travemünde Week jury, the International Optimist Class Association has recognised the Team Race at the TW as a world ranking regatta.
The best team racers in the Optimist class were also honoured during the opening ceremony. Photo: segel-bilder.de/Travemünde Week
