"letzte Helden" : Hamberg in Germany

Over the weekend of 12-13th November, Hamberg in Germany held their annual event similar in concept to the big winter handicap events in the UK called "letzte Helden" ( last heroes) there was an excellent turnout of 105 participants, which included two Musto Performance Skiff’s.

Racing was held on the river Elbe, which like most large European rivers makes for interesting tactical sailing because of the current and sand banks, and not forgetting the odd 300 metre container vessel. There was class racing for the bigger classes like 505, Contender and 29er as well as a handicap class. As the racing was all held on the same course, there was also an overall result on handicap.

The handicap class ranged from an Eighteen footer to Europes, and also included two RS700’s, along with the Musto Performance Skiff’s.

On Saturday the wind was around 3 bft, with three races being sailed, unfortunately there were no races on Sunday due to lack of wind.

Although the course favoured the "traditional" classes with a triangle and a down wind leg, Gabriel Wicke sailing MPS 134 showed excellent speed and consistency to win this classic autumn regatta’s handicap class, as well as being Ovingtonsious overall, with on second an two first places on handicap. He was followed by a bunch of well sailed 505’s .”