Hamish Pepper, Hasso Plattner and Pete Alarie, the German National Champions. 2013..
Over the last two days the 49 boat fleet, at Lake Chiemsee, have had to sit ashore and wait for wind. Alas at 1.0pm yesterday the PRO had no choice but to cancel all races as the “God’s” did not produce a breath of wind and so the Championship was decided on the first 5 races sailed. This left one very happy team GER 1112 Helmed by Hasso Plattner who thoroughly deserved to win this German National Championship, sponsored by Audi, as they led the fleet by a clear 7pts!
I spoke to Hasso’s crew after the prize giving, firstly former World Star Champion (2006) and 4 times Olympian Hamish Pepper, who said “It’s been great to actually race the Dragon after hearing so much about the class. Everyone has been so friendly, sharing advice and keeping no secrets.” Hamish added ” So I have really enjoyed the close sailing and tight racing”. Fellow crew member Pete Alarie went onto say “Hasso did a really good job keeping the boat going fast at all times. There was great ‘energy’ in the boat and within two days in the class everyone has been so welcoming and friendly”. That may not last now Pete after kicking everyone’s butt !!!
Runner’s up overall was the “great” Vincent Hoesch in GER 10, crewed by Peter Liebner and Mr Timothy Tavinor (Petticrow Owner). This team showed good form despite “normal” decisions on which way to go did not prove correct. Vince explained “I think this week it was better not to know the lake, as what is normally the right way, was not the way to go! When we went to the Island, the Highway was the best way. Then when the left should normally pay, the right kicked in”. Vincie continued “Hasso and his team did a great job and deserved to win because they sailed the conditions on the day starting with a blank sheet and did not take note of the lake’s history”.
Vincent Hoesch, Timothy Tavinor and Peter Liebner collect their Silver Medals..
In the final podium position was GER 1013 helmed by Peter Froschl and crewed by Sailmaker Andreas Hermann and Marcus Fosel. Peter and his team sailed a very consistent series only losing out to Vincie on count back!
This final photo shows Andreas Hermann, Peter Froschl and Marcus Fosel standing next to Hasso, Hamish, Pete, Vincie and Peter Liebner. (I think Timmy Tavinor was hiding behind the “Audi” racing mark!
So now the show moves onto Lake Garda in Italy, which should prove to be once again a spectacular event. With former World Champion Lawrie Smith already in Italy training hard against RUS 76 Dmitry Samhokin, the competition for top places will be as exciting as ever… I think the current World Champion Klaus Diederichs will also be joining the fun.. so watch this space for up to date reviews of all the action.
Meanwhile, those boats not wishing to make the trip into the Italian Mountains can elect to take a more sunny and sedate journey to the beautiful St Tropez, where 40 + Dragons will compete in their annual regatta. So will it be the stunning back-drop mountains of Lake Garda or the golden beaches of St Tropez, what a choice, what a week ahead, what a class we sail !!! 🙂
Higher, Faster, Longer……….. Stavros. (GER 1102).