Norddeutscher Regatta Verein from Germany took advantage of sensational sailing conditions in Palma de Mallorca to win the first of three qualifiers in season six of the SAILING Champions League. The top eight finishing clubs from Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Finland secured a place at the Final in St Moritz, Switzerland later this summer. It was the first time the SAILING Champions League has visited the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, hosted by Club Nàutic S’Arenal. Florian Haufe, who skippered Norddeutscher Regatta Verein to victory, commented, “We just had four days with perfect sailing conditions, really close races and very tough competition. I have a great team to sail with. It was our goal to secure a place at the SAILNG Champions League Final in St Moritz this August, and we made it!” Haufe’s NRV crew included David Heitzig, Miklas Meyer and Dorian Heitzing. The top eight finishing teams in Palma secured a place at the Final in St Moritz, Switzerland from 15 to 18 August. The eight qualified clubs are:
- Norddeutscher Regatta Verein- Germany
- Club Nautique de Versoix- Switzerland
- Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub- Denmark
- Société Nautique de Genève- Switzerland
- Kaløvig Bådelaug- Denmark
- WSV Almere Centraal- The Netherlands
- Frederikshavn Sejlklub- Denmark
- Brändö Seglare- Finland
The racing was hard fought all the way to the finish, with the ninth place finisher, Württembergischer Yacht-Club from Germany, just missing out on a qualifying place by 1.6 points. The Palma regatta was the first of three SAILING Champions League Qualifiers, with the second event due to be hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, from 23 to 26 May. A few weeks later, it’s on to St Petersburg, Russia, from 4 to 7 July for the third and concluding Qualifier before the grand final in August. For more SAILING CHAMPIONS League information, visit http://sailing-championsleague.com/events/palma-spain-2019/.