Back from a long day on the lake and about 2 hours ago, had good intentions of posting a very eloquent story about how wonderful it was to spend a day watching 10 junior races at my first JWC. But then the phone and messages distracted me, so I’ll be my usual brief self. My impressions of the day:
The high level of sailing on fast ice was IMPRESSIVE in both fleets.
Each fleet banged off 5 races efficiently and fast.
Was fascinating to watch the intensity with which coaches watched and spoke with their charges.
There’s reason to be optimistic about the future of European DN ice sailing.
After the racing I kicked the red sled back to shore where there was hot food, tea, and cookies ready to be served. I looked out at the perfect ice, felt the breeze on my face, and took in this tranquil setting with an old Swedish church overlooking the lake. I asked the Uppsala sailing club members who set up the food, “is this heaven?” They laughed…. It’s — it’s Sweden.
Slick, fast Hollywood ice with shifty, puffy winds greeted the opening day of the 2020 Junior DN and Ice Optimist World Championship near Furudal, Sweden. The unpredictable wind gusts caused postponement of the first race until Tuesday, February 18. The kids kept busy with a bit of sailing, skating, and kicking the soccer ball under a rainbow that hung around for a long time. The sailing site is a 30 minute drive from Orsa Camping, the site of last week’s Gold Cup.
One of the constants in ice sailing is that the ice continually changes. Some big cracks developed overnight on the racing course and the Race Committee made the decision to cancel the European Championship. Competitors were disappointed but respected the fact that the RC put their safety first. I’m staying on for the Junior Championship.
European Championship Day 1: Another Ground Hog Day*
The European Championship regatta was supposed to have begun today but as of 1400 local time, the wind hasn’t made an appearance. If it does, I’ll let you know. *Ground Hog Day is a movie about being caught up in a time loop and repeatedly reliving the same day. The 2010 North American regatta is also known affectionately as the Ground Hog Day Regatta.
Congratulations to Lukasz Zakrzewski P155 of Poland for winning the 2020 DN World Championship, Dideric van Riemsdijk S867 for first place in the Silver fleet, and Paul Jorgensen D156 for first place in the Bronze fleet. Today was a carbon copy of yesterday with no wind. Competitors hung tough waiting for a wind that never arrived. This is Lukasz’ first time winning a Gold Cup. The last “first time” winner was Sweden’s Thomas Karlsson in 2004. This is the 9th year in a row that a Polish competitor has won the Gold Cup. See Gold Cup history here. Off to prize giving soon and then the European Championship starts tomorrow. Please send wind!
Lukasz Zakrzewski and Dideric van Reimsdjik congratulate each other. Photo: Sean Heavey
A Post About Nothing
A quick update before heading to dinner, organized by Jorg Bohn G737 and Lillen with some of the Russian competitors. Nothing happened today because the wind didn’t arrive at all. In true ice sailing fashion, people stood around, visited friends, discussed runners, measured cockpits, snacked on candy and chocolate, and enjoyed the beautiful day. The wind teased us at the end of the day and a C fleet race was attempted but didn’t make the time limit. The DN Gold Cup continues into Thursday.
A hint of things to come next week, the DN and Ice Optimist Junior World and European Championships will be held here on Orsa. I will be staying here for this regatta.
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