(Aarhus, Denmark)- Eighteen teams participated in the intense finale of the Danish J/70 Sailing League in Aarhus, Denmark. In the end, it was the KDY SHARKS that won both the finale and the overall sailing league series.
The 4th event in Aarhus was intense and nerve-wracking and the podium was not determined until the last flight! Only one point separated first from third; that was the narrowest margin of victory, and the most intense finals, in the Danish Sailing League’s history. Winning was KDY SHARKS, while the balance of the podium was determined on a tie-breaker at 15 pts each! Winning that countback to take the silver medal were the Bandholm EAGLES with the Frederikshavn SEAHAWKS taking the bronze.
It was a record year for participation in the Danish J/70 Sailing League. The final event was held in collaboration with Sailing Aarhus Week and the surrounding clubs, Marselisborg and Kaløvig. It was the Aarhus International Sailing Sports Center that hosted the regatta, a fabulous facility that provided a great base for the regatta right on the waterfront… it was perfect for the spectators as the races often started and finished just a few meters off the sailing center.
KDY was under pressure in a tougher field
Skipper Henrik Jensen explained how the field in the Sailing Sports League is still rising and that, increasingly, it is getting harder to remain at the top of the field.
Henrik elaborated, “It has been an incredibly even and very close event, where many teams have had the opportunity to take a podium. This event also had an incredibly decisive significance in the overall result. The winning strategy, the winter training and the great experience of the team helped KDY win the gold. Everything was moving in our direction and even though we had several considerations about tactical sailing against our close competitors, we had to focus most on our own sailing.”
“New kids on the block” on the podium
“It's so crazy,” said skipper Bo Schülein. “There is no doubt that the sailors from Bandholm still think it is a bit unreal that they ended up taking silver in the overall position over Frederikshavn, Kaløvig and other club teams that dominated the 2019 season. We are so proud that a small club like Bandholm Sailing Club with only 35-40 members can sail against the country's absolute biggest clubs in the country. We still can't quite understand it!”
The champions kept the excitement to the last
With two 4th places over the season and an awful 5th place for this 4th event, it was the season's last flights that were crucial for the former masters from Frederikshavn SEAHAWKS. It started out really well for the team for the event in Aarhus with just 1sts and 2nds in the first five flights. From there, they had to struggle to hold on to the podium. They came close to winning, but ended up tied on points for second place, just one point down from the KDY SHARKS. Follow the Danish J/70 Sailing League on Facebook here For more Danish J/70 Sailing League information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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