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505 Worlds Report Hunger & Jess Tighten Grip on 505 Title Malmo, Sweden - Wolfgang Hunger and Holger Jess of Germany stamped their authority on the 505 fleet with first place in Races 4 and 5 of the nine race series. Tuesday presented a different challenge for the fleet as the wind came from the north west, completely the opposite direction to the first two days. However, although the breeze was steadier and more even across the course, the fleet had to contend with an exceptionally strong current flowing towards the Baltic through the Oresund. Having replaced the mast broken in a collision in the previous race, the early leaders of Race 4 were Ian Pinnell and Steve Hunt of Great Britain. However, although showing good pace in the 12 – 14 knot breeze, by the second lap they were under pressure from Hunger and Jess who slipped inside at the gybe mark and proceeded to power through to the finish. Pinnell and Hunt were second ahead of another German team, Claas Lehmann and Martin Schoeller. Krister Bergstrom and Johan Barne of Sweden were fourth. For
Race 5 the wind had dropped but the current increased, which contributed
to three aborted starts before the pathfinder, crewed by Brett Van Munster
and Andy Petch of Australia, was finally was able to complete a clear
run and get the fleet away. First to show were the Danes, Hans Joergen
Riber and Henrik Buhl, followed by Bergstom/ Barne and, inevitably by
Hunger and Jess. By astute work on the first offwind leg, the Germans
gained the lead and were never headed. The need to have regard to the
current meant that windshifts became of secondary importance, making the
race rather processional, with only limited place changing. Riber and
Buhl demonstarted their liking for the lighter conditions by recording
second place, with Berstrom and Barne third and Dan Thompson and Andy
Zinn of the USA in fourth.
Mission Accomplished! I'm pleased to announce that our final day on the water was a success and we have realized our goal of placing in the top 10 at the International 505 World Championship! This was no small feat considering who we were competing against, and the fact that this was the first year Ali and Jesse have sailed together. Most highly successful teams have been together for many years. We had a tough task today. Three excellent teams were only 4 points behind us going into the final race, and covering them all is nearly impossible. There was also one boat just four points in front of us in the standings, and beating them for the series was a longshot. Somehow we managed to both keep our lead on the three trailing competitors, and overtake the other for a 9th place over finish at the championship. Once again, winds were light. We were determined to gate early, and Ali pulled off a masterful starting maneuver enabling us to get in the front row at the beginning. However, we were pinched off and forced to tack by one of the teams we needed to cover. As it turned out, we were able to find some clear lanes, while the others raced for the corner and overshot the mark. We battled with another team (another US team) who we had to keep close, while covering the other 2 teams in the process. This was nerve racking because we could never let these teams out of our sight. In the end, we finsihed the race in 10th place, while the boat just ahead of in the overall standing was somehwere back in the high teens. Five Danish CSC employees were on hand to see the racing from a spectator boat today. This was a great boost to our confidence and spirit! Thanks for bringing your team down David. It was a great regatta, and a great honor to be called to the podium to receive our 9th place trophies and medals. I'd first like to thank my wife, Laura, for understanding this passion I have for sailing, and for allowing me the freedom to pursue my dreams. I'd also like to thank my sailing partner, Ali Meller, for always giving 100% regardless of our position in the fleet, and in every single race. Finally, I'd like to thank our sponsor again. We couldn't have done this without your support! Sweden is a wonderful place with wonderful people. I will cherish my memories of this event. Click here for the complete results Jesse
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