Friday, September 25, 2015

YC Bregenz Wins Austrian Sailing League

J/70 Austrian sailing team winners (Neusiedler See, Austria)- At the finals of the Austrian Sailing League sponsored by SAP at Neusiedler See (21st to 23rd August 2015), the Yacht Club Bregenz won overall and was awarded the Champion’s trophy for the first time. For Burgenland Yacht Club that took second place, it also meant a ticket for the SAILING Champions League in September in Porto Cervo.

Max Trippolti, team manager of YC Bregenz said of the outcome for his winning team, “That’s awesome”!! He said this even after his competitors had tossed him into the water. It’s an old tradition, which came into effect for the first Austrian Champion of the Sailing League sponsored by SAP. “We are extremely satisfied. That’s the outcome of our hard and long-time work. We are a comparatively young team, the cooperation worked extremely well. The team is also excited about the format of the Sailing League and has set its goal to defend the title next year.”

The Burgenland Yacht Club finished the regatta again – just like at Traunsee – in third place.  The local team from Neusiedler See was fighting for victory for quite a long time. In the sixth race, when rounding the mark, the gennaker of the Burgenland team was twisted. Their distance to the competitors increased and they finished last. Even in the last race, they were not any better than fourth place. But, thanks to the good results of the two previous days, they managed to finish on third at Neusiedler See – with the same score as the Union Yacht Club Traunsee – and second in the overall ranking.

Clemens Kruse of Burgenland Yacht Club said, “Fortunately we did start into the weekend successfully with three victories. Our big goal was the participation at the Champions League. And thanks to our second place finish, we made it! In the upcoming year, we want to compete again in the four events and fight for the title.“

Following the sailors from Bregenz, the SCTWV Achensee finished the last event in 2nd place. On the last racing day, the sailors from Tirol even had the chance for victory. But with a 3rd place, they were pushed back in the standings behind YC Bregenz.  Michael Meister from SCTWV Achensee said, “It’s a shame, we could not bring home the victory. The J/70 was completely new to us.  Nevertheless, our performance was very, very good. We are absolutely satisfied with rank three overall.“

Both teams are now sailing in the SAILING Champions League in Porto Cervo, Italy. Max Trippolti and his team had training sessions with their colleagues from Bregenz Sailing Club (BSC). The BSC has its own J/70 boats and is supporting the Austrian Champion during the preparation. Max Trippolti said, “It is a benefit for both of us. Our goal for Porto Cervo is a rank in the top ten.“  Sailing photo credits- SBL/David Pichler.  For more J/70 Austrian Sailing League sailing information