Day 1 (October 22): A marvelous start to the championship in Cádiz
The European Flying Dutchman Championship began in the Bay of Cádiz with a “textbook” day for sailing. After Monday’s first day was canceled due to lack of wind, Tuesday saw the crews enjoy optimal conditions, with an easterly wind blowing between 11 and 16 knots. The race committee, together with the fleet, took full advantage of the moment to complete three intense races, marking the beginning of a competition that, from the start, promised to be a close fight for the title.
On this opening day, the Hungarian team of Szabolcs Majthenyi and Andras Domokos started strong, winning the first race and solidifying their reputation as favorites. They were closely followed by Italians Nicola and Francesco Vespasiani, who managed to win the second race and secure third place in the third race, temporarily placing them at the top of the standings. Among the German teams, Kilian Koenig and Johannes Brack, along with world champions Kay-Uwe Ludtke and Kai Schafers, also stood out by winning the third race and maintaining excellent consistency, respectively.
Day 2 (October 23): Day canceled due to strong easterly winds
On Wednesday, the Bay of Cádiz awoke to easterly winds exceeding 30 knots, making it impossible to even attempt to set sail. Although the race committee, led by Juan Castañeda, went out to make the necessary checks, conditions were too adverse, and the day was ultimately canceled. This forced break allowed the teams to fine-tune their boats and share experiences while waiting for better weather.
In the evening, participants and championship staff gathered for a dinner at the “Timón de Roche” restaurant, owned by local sailor Pepe Ruiz, who is not only one of the competitors but also one of the key organizers of this European championship and the 2024/25 Flying Dutchman World Race. The evening featured a performance by the local band “Los del Fondo,” providing a festive atmosphere that made the wait for the resumption of races more enjoyable.
Day 3 (October 24): Return to the water and a tight leaderboard
On Thursday, weather conditions improved, allowing for the fourth race between four and five-thirty in the afternoon. The wind intensity, at around 12 knots, created the perfect context for an even more closely contested race, with the more experienced teams remaining in the lead. In this race, the German team of Ludtke and Schafers took the win, allowing them to move into first place overall. The Italian Vespasiani team, who had been leading the standings, fell to second place with a sixth-place finish in this race, though they stayed close to the Germans. The leaderboard remained tight, with five teams within four points of each other.
Day 4 (October 25): Intense westerly winds and new leaders
On Friday, the Bay of Cádiz greeted the fleet with a strong westerly wind, ranging between 13 and 26 knots. This increased wind intensity, nearly at the navigable limit, added an extra layer of difficulty, with several teams facing penalties and disqualifications for early starts. For some teams, this day provided relief with the first discard after five races, allowing them to eliminate their worst result and improve their standings.
The Hungarians Majthenyi and Domokos emerged victorious, climbing to the top of the overall standings. They were closely followed by the Germans Ludtke and Schafers (with a BFD that would prove to be crucial later), with the Italian Vespasiani team in third place. This leaderboard reshuffle left the championship wide open for the final day.
Day 5 (October 26): Final day and a spectacular finish
The final day of the championship was filled with tension and excitement. With two final races remaining, the Bay of Cádiz offered westerly winds between 12 and 18 knots, providing the ideal conditions for an unforgettable championship finish. The Hungarians Majthenyi and Domokos showcased their experience and skill, securing victory in the last race to clinch the title of European champions. Throughout the championship, they accumulated three first places, a second, a third, and a fifth, discarding a sixth-place finish—an impressive performance that gave them the victory for only a point above GER88.
The second place on the podium went to Germans Ludtke and Schafers, who finished the championship with a second-place finish in the last race, securing their spot as runners-up. Third place went to the other German team, Koenig and Brack, who maintained solid performance on the final day.
The awards ceremony took place at the CN Puerto Sherry facilities, with prominent figures from the sailing world in attendance, including the club president Valle de la Riva and representatives from the International Flying Dutchman class. This European championship marks the beginning of the 2024/25 Flying Dutchman World Race, which will take the fleet through a series of regattas culminating in the World Championship in spring 2025.
Our sincere thanks to CN Puerto Sherry and the organizers for their exceptional work, making this championship in Cádiz a truly unforgettable event.
Pictures:
GEA ESP-11
