Summer in Muskegon

Although over a week into summer as measured by the calendar, Muskegon is being treated to spring like conditions.  Winds are from the north at 15 knots and the temperature is a mere 55 degrees. 

Kiel Race Week

The 104th annual Kiel Race week has been completed in Germany.  Over 2000 boats from 48 countries competed.  In the Olympic fleets there were 19 past Olympic medal winners. 

Warm conditions also produces light air.  This cut the planned 5 days of racing to 3 days. 

With boats from all parts of the globe this served as a good measuring stick for potential success in the Sailing portion of the 2000 Olympic games.

US sailor were unable to take home a class victory.   They did show strength in a few classes.  In the mens 470 group Paul Foerester placed 3rd (the equivalent of a Bronze medal).  In the 49er skiff fleet Morgan Larson and Kevin Hall also achieved a 3rd place finish.  They were only 5 points from 1st.

4 American sailors were in the Laser fleets top 25.   9th was Brett Davis, 10th was Mark Mendenblatt, 21st was John Torgeson and 25th was Bill Hardesty. 

3 American sailors were in the top 25 in both the Start and Tornado fleets.  2nd in the Start boats was Mark Reynolds and Javier Hermeda, also notching a race win.  6th was Peter Vessela and Mike Dorgan and 10th was John MacCausland and George Iverson.  In the Tornado catamaran fleet Robbie Daniel and Jacques Bernir ended up 8th with a best race of 3rd.  16th were John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree followed by Lars Guck and P.J. Schaffer in 17th. 

Other top American performances were:  Russ Silvestri 14th in Finns, and Lanee Butler 4th in the Mistral women's fleet.

For complete results see:  http://www.kyc.de/regatta/kieler-woche/index-e.html