6.- 9. August, 2003

in

Juelsminde Sejlklub  

The happy (and wet) Danish Champions 2003!

It was of course somewhat disappointing that only 16 participants took part in the 25th years anniversary regatta of the BB10m Class in Juelsminde Sejlklub. Quite a few BB10m boats have been on sale during the last year and this can be one of the causes. The somewhat late date of the regatta could be another reason. The weather before the regatta was incredible nice so no one had problems coming to the regatta. DM2003 was again very successful and also had some festivities, even if the winds during the whole regatta was in the low end of the wind scale and quite unstable from different directions. Despite this, it was possible to sail 7 of the planned 9 races.

During Wednesday the crews registered, sails were measured and the regatta was officially opened. During Thursday the sailors started out early in the morning in order to be ready to the start at 10 am as planned. However, the wind died away completely so we did not start until mid-afternoon and we succeeded to get 2 of the planned 4 races that day. The waiting time was used to sun bathe and swimming from the boats. In the first race the Danish Champions from 2002, DEN-63, continued the trend from last year and won the race in front of DEN-87 and GER-69. DEN-5 was disqualified due to touching of a mark in the start. Second race could be started right after the first in the increasing wind. However, an early start by DEN-63 gave the 'veterans' in DEN-67 the victory in front of two other well-known boats, DEN-5 and DEN-33. It soon became clear that the medals should be shared between these three boats. Since we had to visit the town hall with speeches by the Mayor and plenty of food and drinks in the evening, no more races were made that day. The visit at the town hall was a great success just like last time Juelsminde Sejlklub arranged our Championship, even if the Mayor had another commitment and the commune manager acted as a substitute. The third day of the regatta started just like the day before with no wind and the referees choose to delay the first start with 3 hours. The waiting time was used by the crews to hang out at the harbor or the beach looking at nice girls or men (depending on ones preferences). The wind came back over mid-day and the first race could be started as planned (although both DEN-64 and DEN-19 arrived a little late to the starting line and DEN-64 therefore choose to not to start). We had 3 really nice races even if it was extremely difficult for the crews and the referees in the light wind which changed directions all the time. The referees had to constantly move the marks and the crews had to concentrate to get the last bid of speed out of the boats and also to find the 'right' way on the water (which showed up to be on the right side of the course) in the light wind and the strong current. Finding the right way seemed to be much easier for DEN-5, DEN-33 and DEN-67 than the rest of us (even if both  DEN-33 and DEN-67 were on the wrong track in the second race). Last years first timer, DEN-18, had a good second race and came in as second. Although nothing was settled before the two races on the last day and at least 4 boats (DEN-67, DEN-5, DEN-33 and DEN-87) could become champions, DEN-67 showed very convincingly with a 2nd and a 6th who were the rightful Champions. No one could really threatens DEN-67.

Congratulations with the Danish Championship, Søren Koitzsch and crew on DEN-67! 

Second was DEN-33 after an excellent and strong effort in the end. Third came the four time previous Champions, DEN-5. Also very excellent.

Ashore, the sail club had arranged for both breakfast and lunch packages for the crews. Hancock v. DEN-67 had arranged free beers on the peer. Saturday evening we had the traditional party (barbeque) with prices to the winners and speeches by representatives from Juelsminde Sejlklub and the former chairman of the BB10m-club, Claus Jespersen (Michael was excused due to a sore back). There were also prices to the 4th (DEN-87), to the best foreign participant (GER-69), best first timer (DEN-42) and the last (DEN-19). As something new this year a price (a boat in shining aluminium) was issued to the best maintained BB10m. After a severe competition this price was given to DEN-53. It was the second time Juelsminde Sejlklub arranged our Danish Championships and therefore they did not receive the traditional half model but a beautiful collage with the winning 25 years anniversary logo in the middle. The designers (Ib Sohn and Niels Jørgen Hedevang from DEN-67) of the 25 years logo received at the same occasion a case of good wine. Most of the crews appreaciated very much that Anders Børresen (both Ole, Anders and 84 year Børge Børresen were present at the party) at the end informed about the dreadful situation in connection with the bankruptcy of Børresen Bådebyggeris. He explained what the plans of Børresens were regarding the BB10m boat: purchase the template forms and trying to produce the boat more inexpensive by finding a boat builder in a low-cost country.

It was a pleasure to see so many of the crew members had brought their family with them to the regatta. This gave lots of life on the camping ground next to the harbor since children, spouses and friends were greats supporters to the crews on the water.

A great regatta! And lots of congratulations to Juelsminde Sejlklub, the referees and the many officials on the water and ashore who made a great regatta despite the difficult conditions on the water.

Final result

No. of participants         :   16 
Score  DNC,DNS,DSQ etc. :  23.0 point  
ZPG - no.             =  List + max 4 no.    (20%-punishment)

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