Tornado: German Grand Prix

German Tornado Grand Prix / Press release Lindau, 25th June 2010
23. – 27. June 2010, Lake Constance, Lindau. www.gtgrandprix.de
Summerwinds on Lake Constance for the German Tornado Grand Prix
A dream for the German Tornado sailors: After a long period of coldness and rain the summer was coming back to the Lake Constance. It couldn’t be better: Light winds from West (up to 13 knots) made 8 races possible on the first two days. More than half of the planned 13 races are now sailed at Lindau Sailor’s Club (LSC).
Veit Hemmeter und Dominik Halbing (LSC) are leading with 10 points. Second are Michael Schoenleitner and Philipp Rakuschaen (Austria, UYC Attersee) with 22 points, third place is for Markus Augstburger and Frank Rübel (Munich, 30 pts).

The Grand Prix is a duel of the both teams Michael Schoenleitner and Philipp Rakuschaen (Austria, UYC Attersee) and the local heroes Veit Hemmeter und Dominik Halbing (LSC). Both teams got two bullets on the first day. Hemmeter was leading by three points after four races.
On day 2 competitors enjoyed again sun and wind in front of the Lindau island. Winners of day 1 were alternating on the finish line. First race was won by Schoenleitner, next by Hemmeter. Third race saw again Hemmeter crossing the line first – but he had a premature start and was disqualified. “We are sure: this was no premature start!”, he said and made a protest to get a redress. The jury voted for Hemmeter – and gave the first place back to Hemmeter/Halbing.
The fourth race of the day was a surprise: Markus Augstburger and Frank Rübel (Munich) got the bullet, followed by – Hemmeter/Halbing.

Current Leaders Hemmeter/Dominil
“This wasn’t our day. We are to heavy for this wind”, argued Roland Gaebler, Bronce medallist of Sydney 2000. And corrected at once: “I’m to heavy, not my wife!” In his mind a multihull is on a good way for an olympic comeback. “We have a good young generation”, he said with a view to the young sailors in Germany and Austria. Gaebler is first time sailing in Lindau. “It’s a paradise here!” he feels well at Lake Constance.

The Grand Prix goes on: 13 races are planned. The missing five races will be sailed on Saturday and Sunday.
24 boats racing.