Final Day of International Classes - Kieler Woche
After yesterday's strong breeze the weather conditions in Kiel improved and mostly two final races on the eight courses were sailed in each class today. South westerly winds (11 - 16 knots with gusts up to 20 knots) with fresh air temperatures (17 to 20 Celsius) prevailed on the race courses and made competitors and race committee more than happy!
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In the Formula 18 fleetGermany's Joerg Gosche/Hannes Pegel won out after 8 thrilling races (8 points overall) closely followed by Kieler Woche winners 2006 and 2007 the brothers Helge and Christian Sach, GER as second (9 points) and 3rd placed team P. Forsgren/N. Nordblom, SWE (28 points).
Amongst the Dragon Classthe German Match Race expert Markus Wieser with his crew Thomas Auracher/S. Pugatchev, UKR secured overall victory with their brand new boat (overall 10), followed by Lars Hendriksen/I. Matvienko/M. Leifeldt, UKR (14) as overall second and Thomas Mueller/V. Hoesch/M. Schellmair, GER, in third place (24); the third placed missed out defending their Kieler Woche victory of 2006!
The thrilling performance of the Moth fleetin the Schilksee Bay impressed spectators and race officials alike. The Brits' Adam May and Gary Ireson shared the lead after seven races, with Adam May winning the eighth race and consequently the series by overall eight points; third place went to Martin Gravare, SWE.
In the Europe ClassS?nke Herrmann, GER won his first Kieler Woche title. Second overall was Anne-Marie Rindom, DEN, and in third position sailed Meike Herrmann, GER after eight races.
Within 94 competitors of the 29er fleetfollowing teams sailed as top five scorers: 1. K. Fischer/G. Gouron, FRA, 2. J. Liu/S. Cheng, SIN (both sharing overall 16 points), 3. A. Poropat/A. Savio, ITA, 4. J. Peters/E. Fitzgerald and 5. R. Tita, N. Piccinelli, ITA.
In the Golden Fleet of the 420 Classthe Italian team M. Federico/V. Rocco sailed a convincing Kieler Woche series with victory in three out of six races. Second placed were F. Gerz/T. Bolduan, GER (overall 11 points), they also shared even overall points with the Italians E. Scotti/L. de Felice in third place.
Veterans of Kieler Woche 2008 were represented in the FD and the 505 Class: Joergen Bojsen-Moeller, DEN sailed his Flying Dutchman to his 14th victory in Kiel (the first win was in 1988!), and Wolfgang Hunger, GER topped his Kieler Woche participation by winning the title for the 16th time in the 505 fleet during his brilliant sailing career. (hmb)
Full results at www.kieler-woche.de/
by Event media 
