Edler levels with Petersen in OK Dinghies in high winds at Kieler Woche
Sweden’s Niklas Edler has levelled the points with Denmark’s Bo Petersen on the second day of Kieler Woche in the 71 boat OK Dinghy fleet. Germany’s Jan Kurfeld is up to third after three races with the breeze building from 14-18 in the first race to 25-30 knots in the final race of the day.
Edler took the first race of the day after a tight battle with last year’s winner, Michal Strumnik of Poland. The breeze increased slightly for the next race with Jan Kurfeld, who had failed to finish the first race after his rudder came detached, rounding first and extending for a comfortable victory from Petersen and Edler.
At the finish the breeze kicked in hard and was 20-25 knots at the start of the final race, with a much reduced field. Petersen then dropped out of the final race with a broken vang, and again Kurfeld led round the top from Britain’s Dave Bourne. Kurfked capsized at the first gybe, however, with the breeze pushing 28-30 he was not the only one to have a swim, and managed to recover to win his second race of the day, this time from Edler and Denmark’s Steen Christensen.
Lighter conditions are expected for Saturday with three more races scheduled. The event concludes on Sunday.
Results after 5 races
1 DEN 21 Bo PETERSEN 9
2 SWE 71 Niklas EDLER 9
3 GER 20 Jan KURFELD 13
4 DEN 24 Steen CHRISTENSEN 16
5 GER 19 Ulli KURFELD 23
6 GER 72 Oliver GRONHOLZ 30
7 DEN 1604 Claus MORTENSEN 32
8 POL 777 Michal STRUMNIK 35
9 GBR 17 David BOURNE 43
10 SWE 139 Hans BÖRJESSON 44
