German Sailors Shine at Silverrudder 2021 Solo Regatta around Fyn
The 13th edition of the solo regatta around Fyn was characterized by light winds. Consequently, it is not surprising that none of the existing records were broken this year. Instead, the Silverrudder challengers enjoyed fantastic sunshine and moderate temperatures ranging from 14 to 21 degrees Celsius. Only 360 out of the 421 registered skippers lined up at the starting line, with 69 of them having to abandon the race after the start, leaving only 291 to ultimately cross the finish line. This meant that one in five skippers had to retire from the race. In most cases, running aground was the cause of their withdrawal. This was the experience of Bjarne Lorenzen, who, while some were already stuck after the start, ran into trouble on the beat to Svendborg just before the finish. An onboard energy problem on the „Powerplay“ caused the instruments to fail, leading Lorenzen to report via Instagram from aboard the Dehler 30od, „I had to come in a bit blind, but I know the area. Well, as it turned out, I tried to tack one second too late, and now I’m stuck here.“ He quickly reassured, „PS: Even with a short stop on a sandbank, the ‚Powerplay‘ is undamaged.“ He later posted a video of the ship’s return journey under sail. Despite the challenges, Lorenzen described the race as „really enjoyable and eventful despite many wind shifts and calms.“
Winners of the Silverrudder Categories
In the „Keelboat Mini“ category (18 to 25 feet), German sailor Mattis Franken emerged victorious on his Melges 24 „Freya.“ Just under two and a half hours later, the J/70 skippered by Danish sailor Anders from Laursen crossed the finish line. Hungarian sailor Gyorgy Juhasz on a Flaar 24 claimed the third spot in the Keelboat Mini class, less than four minutes behind the J/70. A total of 44 boats were registered in this category, with 35 actually starting the race on Friday morning. Ten of the 35 boats retired during the race, leaving 25 to be scored at the finish line.
Norwegian sailor Tim Sandberg, the ORC Doublehand World Champion, clinched victory in the „Keelboats Small“ category (25.01 to 30 feet) aboard a Dehler 30od. Sandberg completed the race in 24 hours, 45 minutes, and 6 seconds, with German sailor Patrik Heinrichs taking second place on the Esse 850 „JYNX,“ just under an hour behind the Norwegian. Danish sailor Anders Juul followed closely behind Heinrichs, finishing about 40 minutes later on another Dehler 30od, the „Sexy Beast.“ Matthias Bröker secured fourth place in the category, with a total of 69 boats reaching the finish line. Thirteen boats had to retire during the regatta, while another 13 did not even start, making a total of 95 boats registered in the category.
Per Svanberg claimed victory in the „Keelboats Medium“ category (30.01 to 35 feet), crossing the finish line after 24 hours, 18 minutes, and 58 seconds aboard the Fareast 31R GRP, „Kuai.“ German sailor Lorenz Jensen took second place on the JPK 10.30 „Rentnerbank,“ finishing just under 35 minutes behind Svanberg. Hasso Hofmeister of Germany completed the podium in third place aboard the Akilaria 950 „Whiteout.“ The Keelboats Medium category was the most registered class at Silverrudder, with 18 of the 131 registered boats not starting the race. Twenty-six boats retired during the race, leaving 87 boats to reach the finish line within the time limit.
Sven Kurka, sailing his familiar Bondi 36 Oneoff, secured victory in the „Keelboats Large“ category (35.01 to 40 feet) after finishing in 23 hours, 9 minutes, and 24 seconds. Wolfram Heibeck on the Open 40 „Black Maggy“ followed 39 minutes later, securing the second spot for the second consecutive year. Just seven minutes after Heibeck, Danish sailor Jens Ernst completed the race on the JPK 10.80 „Kaha.“ In total, 64 boats were scored in the category, with 15 of the 95 registered boats failing to make it to the starting line and 16 retiring during the race.
Danish sailor Martin Meredin emerged victorious in the „Keelboats Extra Large“ category (> 40.01 feet) aboard the Landmark 43 „Esbern Snare,“ completing the course around Fyn in 22 hours, 15 minutes, and 25 seconds. Torben Komum on the Xc-47 „SpaceX“ secured the second spot over 100 minutes after Meredin, with Jens Listrup on the Norlin 411 „Gerda-Ulrika XI“ finishing just under 25 minutes later. A total of 35 boats were registered in the category, with 32 crossing the starting line on Friday morning and three retiring during the race.
German sailor Anders Bastiansen claimed victory in the „Multihull Small“ category (18 to 28 feet) aboard the Diam 24 „TRI-NE,“ crossing the finish line after 22 hours, 16 minutes, and 51 seconds. Andre Bätz on the Farrier F82R „Flaneur“ finished just over 45 minutes later, with Hannes Günther on the Dragonfly 800 Race SW „Chilli Milli“ securing the third spot less than 14 minutes behind Bätz. In the „Multihull Large“ category (> 28.01 feet), Danish sailor Jens Quorning triumphed aboard the Dragonfly 40 „Tripple Star,“ finishing in 21 hours, 51 minutes, and 41 seconds. Lars Kaempfe of Germany secured second place on the Cosair F31 OD „TRI,“ with Allan Tønnesen taking third place on the Farrier 31 „Kekima.“ A total of 11 boats were registered in the category, with nine finishing before the time limit and one not making it to the starting line.
„Freya“ Triumphs in the „Keelboats Mini“ Category
German sailor Mattis Franken on his Melges 24 „Freya“ completed the solo regatta around Fyn in just under 25 hours, 43 minutes, and 4 seconds. Despite taking longer than the current record holder in the Keelboat Mini class, Jørgen Mohr Ernst, who set the record of 19 hours, 27 minutes, and 38 seconds on a Melges 24, Franken was pleased with his performance. He had prepared for the Silverrudder by studying his competitors and adapting his strategy accordingly. Despite facing challenges along the way, Franken managed to navigate the course successfully and secure the victory.
Silverrudder Spirit: A Community of Sailors
The Silverrudder regatta is not just about individual achievement but also about the camaraderie among sailors. The challenging nature of the race requires sailors to rely on each other for support and assistance. The sense of community and mutual aid among the participants is what sets the Silverrudder apart and makes it a unique and memorable event for all involved.
Matthias Bröker’s Successful Premiere of „KEENA“
Matthias Bröker, a naval architect at Judel/Vrolijk, was delighted with the performance of his self-designed and built boat, „KEENA,“ in its first-ever race at the Silverrudder. Despite facing tough competition, Bröker managed to secure a respectable fourth place finish. His strategic navigation and attention to detail allowed him to avoid pitfalls and sail a strong race. Looking ahead, Bröker expressed his eagerness to participate in the Silverrudder again next year, showcasing his passion for solo sailing and competitive spirit.
The Silverrudder Challenge: A Test of Skill and Endurance
The Silverrudder regatta is not just a race; it is a test of skill, endurance, and determination. The challenging conditions, varying winds, and strategic navigation required to complete the course around Fyn make it a true test of a sailor’s abilities. The sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among participants make the Silverrudder a unique and rewarding experience for all involved.
In Conclusion
The Silverrudder 2021 regatta showcased the skill, determination, and spirit of solo sailors from around the world. Despite the challenges posed by light winds and tough competition, German sailors emerged as dominant forces in their respective classes, showcasing their talent and resilience. The camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by all participants highlight the unique and special nature of the Silverrudder regatta, making it a standout event in the world of solo sailing.