Sunday, October 20, 2013

PEUGEOT Wins J/24 Hungarian Open & Nationals

J/24s sailing on Lake Balaton- Hungary(Budapest, Hungary)- Lake Balaton was the scene of the recent Hungarian J/24 National Championships.  A gorgeous setting on one of the prettiest lakes in Central Europe, it often serves up capricious winds that can be very puffy and shifty or simply benign with sun-burnt days and gentle breezes.

J/24s sailing upwind on Lake Balaton- HungaryThis year's championship saw eighteen boats participate and the level of sailing amongst the top five was extremely close.  While the first day of racing was canceled due to a light offshore breeze, the second day dawned with the long-awaited NW breeze of 14-16 knots.  Four exciting races were completed.  Litkey Wolf sailed "lights out", taking three 1sts and a 2nd on his boat PEUGEOT/ LITKEY SAILS.  Second place for the day was Michael Filo's ZULU with a 1-2-3.  Attila Nagy's GARFIELD/ QUANTUM SAILS took third for the day.  Also showing good form was Gabor Makai's NORD TELEKOM and Erik Hercsel's SAIL FOR YOU.

J/24 Hungary fleet- team photo!The third day was going to push the teams even harder to the edge.  Some considered genoas, but most opted for 100% jibs in the conditions.  The wind was a bit stronger than forecast, blowing 17-19 knots from the NW. The teams fought bravely in the waves and strong breeze, enjoying some great racing and surfs on Lake Balaton! The Wolf's PEUGEOT "express" continued their excellent performance and after eight races had the championship won.  The club's PRO tried to get in one last race, but the weather simply would not cooperate as the breeze had died towards the end of the day.

So, the championship was decided in eight races. A gold medal to Litkey Wolf and his team, who defended their championship titles.  The silver medal goes to Michael Filo on ZULU and the bronze to Nagy's GARFIELD/ QUANTUM SAILS.  Rounding out the top five we find that fourth was Antal Szekely's COMPASS and fifth was Nagy's NORD TELEKOM.

As a result of this regatta, the Hungarian J/24 Season Championship also goes to Wolf's PEUGEOT/ LITKEY Sails team, followed by Makai's NORD TELEKOM in second, Nagy's GARFIELD/ QUANTUM in third, Hercsel's SAIL FOR YOU in fourth and Dr Thomas Wolf's J'KORSZAK in fifth.

Congratulations to all Hungarian J/24 sailors! Thank you for supporting the sponsors who contributed to the high level of competition all season long- Bernhofer Hotel, Compass Magazine, Manézs Bistro, Corner Merchandise, Site Talk In EyeWind, pontráérek.hu, The Body Shop, Porthole, Quantum Sails & BFYC.  For more J/24 Hungary Sailing information