Day 1 of Racing: A Bavarian Start with Unpredictable Winds
The first day of the 2025 EurILCA Master GER kicked off at Augsburger Segler-Club with a classic Bayerischer breakfast—Weißwurst und Brezen (white sausage and pretzels)—setting a festive tone for the day ahead.
The race was initially scheduled to start at 12:00, but due to a lack of wind, an AP (Postponement) flag was raised. By 15:30, the wind finally picked up, and the first race got underway. A gentle southern breeze, starting at 6 knots and increasing to 8 knots, made for an interesting start. The wind direction was unusual for Ammersee in summer, as it came from the south, whereas the forecast had predicted northwest winds.
After completing the first race, the second race began for the ILCA 7 fleet. However, the weather took a turn for the worse. Dark clouds rolled in, accompanied by rain, thunderstorm warnings, and rapidly shifting winds. At times, there was no wind at all during the rain, and then gusts of strong winds followed, along with thunder and lightning. Due to the worsening conditions, the race committee made the call to cancel the race and send the ILCA 7 fleet back to shore. The ILCA 6 fleet had already returned earlier as the storm approached.
Despite the challenges, it was an eventful start to the regatta!
Race Day 2 – A Test of Patience and Perseverance
Yesterday’s racing brought with it light and unpredictable winds, testing both the patience and adaptability of all involved. The first race was originally scheduled for 10:00 AM, but with barely a breeze in sight, it was postponed. By 11:30 AM, the race committee made its way out onto the water, eventually dropping anchor after several attempts to find a suitable spot.
Wind conditions remained erratic throughout the day, shifting constantly between southwest and northwest, and fluctuating between 1 and 6 knots. The variability was such that wind direction could differ by as much as 60 degrees between the start boat and the top mark—making race setup and strategy particularly challenging.
It wasn’t until 3:30 PM that we were finally able to begin the first race. The course presented notable differences between the left and right sides, demanding sharp observation and quick decisions. The second race followed immediately after, but was even more demanding due to deteriorating wind conditions.
Despite the long hours on standby, spirits were lifted during the evening’s communal dinner, which began at 8:00 PM and brought everyone together to unwind and share stories from the water. Initially, the committee proposed an 8:00 AM start for today, but after a collective vote over dinner, a more agreeable 10:00 AM start was settled on.
Race Day 3 – A Game of Wind and Timing – Meet the winners!
A democratic decision made the night before to delay the race start to 10:00 AM—rather than the original 8:00 AM—proved to be a misjudgment in hindsight. At 7:00 AM, conditions were ideal: a strong southerly wind at force 6–8 and clear skies. However, by 9:15 AM, the thermal breeze had faded significantly, leaving only 2–3 knots. As a result, the AP flag was raised, signaling a delay.
The race committee eventually departed the harbor at 11:00 AM, with the first race starting at noon. Wind direction remained relatively stable throughout the day, with varying strengths from 4 to 7 knots during the opening race. Fortunately, conditions improved after Race 1, allowing for back-to-back starts. Wind speed picked up slightly to 7–9 knots, and Race 3 enjoyed similar conditions, including gusts reaching up to 12 knots.
With favorable winds returning, we completed all three races as planned—bringing the total to six and celebrating the crowning of the following winners:
ILCA 7 results
ILCA 6 results
Photo gallery
The 2025 EurILCA Master Series continues on next weekend with the 2025 EurILCA Master SUI at Lake Constance in Switzerland. Check out all upcoming EurILCA Master Series events here: eurilca.org/eurilca-master-series-upcoming-events
Keep smiling, keep sailing!
The EurILCA Team
Report by Agustín Argüelles – Source: Thom Touw | Photos by Thom Touw.
