At the opening evening of this year’s Saar-Lor-Lux Regatta, Detlef gave the following speech:
I was there at 8 regattas, as were Wolfgang Grupe and Alexander Sadilek, who is missing today. Michael Jakobs actively participated in all 10 and Ulli Libor was there at 9, or rather at 10. He was there as a spectator at the first one to see if he would join the class. And that worked out. But that was just one of the positive impulses that the Saar-Lor-Lux Regatta has produced over the 10 years.
2013
10 years of the Saar-Lor-Lux Regatta. This is a special anniversary. Only a few people know it, but the regatta started in 2013. It was supposed to take place in Mittersheim, France. But there were too few entries, so it had to be cancelled.
2014
But in 2014 on Lake Bostal it was a huge, immediate European success. 16 participants and the Germans were in the minority with 6 starters compared to 7 Dutch, 1 Belgian, 1 Czech and 1 Luxembourger.
Before the first race, a huge wave of rain and wind swept across the lake and tore down the start tower, an event that was to occur more frequently in the years to come. The very first race of the 1 years was won - by me. But that was it, because it was Matti's days: Mathias Kortke, the then chairman of the German Class Association, sailed several first places and even relegated Fred Imhoff from Belgium, the multiple dragon world champion, to second place.
At the end of my report about the regatta I wrote: “Thanks to Michael Jakobs, who worked tirelessly over several years to set up this regatta in southwest Germany and to organize it down to the last detail!”
2015
In 2015 it was incredibly cold, we had to scrape ice off the cars and ships. Marianne Grupe took a wonderful photo of the date scratched into the windshield.
Eberhard Bieberitz, called Biber, wins with consistent sailing at the top with only one win in a race, Steve Bullmore came 2nd, Ulli Libor, there for the first time, 3.
2016
Because of the cold, the 2016 regatta was moved to Whitsun. But then came cold Sophie. We froze again, but at least there was a nice north wind. Jan ten Hoeve from the Netherlands wins ahead of Bieber and Ulli. The president of the state parliament in Saarland summed it up when handing out the prizes: “This seems to me to be a family event.” That’s how it was then and how it is today!
2017
One natural event in particular stands out in 2017: on the first day, before the start, a cool, damp wind blew and hit the heated lake. Meter-high walls of fog formed over the water, which drifted across the lake with the wind. For us sailors, this was almost perfect, because you could see the wind coming not only on the rippled water - but unfortunately not the semaphores or the windward mark, so we had to wait. After Ulli Having achieved 3rd places in previous years, he now started his winning streak for the next few years.
2018
In 2018, Michael Jakobs was allowed to write the report for the class association. It was quite short, consisting of the announcement that the catamaran passenger ship had capsized in the lake, but that none of us had been affected and that we were able to sail nine races in fine weather, for once without frost. Ulli Libor dominated the field, with no real competition. Michael, I have to say, you are definitely better at organizing regattas than writing about them. Although your last report on... French Open this year was outstanding! Ghostwriter?
2019
In 2019 it remained international. Dirk Jan Broertjes from the Netherlands came 3rd and wrote a brilliant report voluntarily-involuntarily because he really wanted to win the sailboat cushion for his big boat.
Our French friends Christophe and Christophe, Loic and Patrick were there for the first time. Ulli won unchallenged.
2020
The regatta was canceled due to Corona.
2021
In 2021 the regatta had to be postponed to October due to Corona. There is no report about it. I wasn't there and the class association website - I'd rather remain polite and remain silent. But one thing is certain: Ulli won again, this time ahead of Ben van Cauwenbergh.
2022
In 2022 we had all kinds of weather. On the first day it was sweltering at 1 degrees. On the second day there was continuous rain without wind in the morning, and torrential rain and winds of up to 28 knots in the afternoon. On the third day the starting tower drifted away once again, even though there was hardly any wind. Ben van Cauwenbergh was the clear winner in all these conditions.
2023
Last year, the Saar-Lor-Lux Regatta was the second in European Circuit. Basically, participating in the European Circuit the consistent continuation of the internationality of this regatta from the beginning. Again more than half of the sailors came from abroad. Challenging sailing took place in 10 races with different winds. We know this from many regattas. But the fact that the supporting program for friendly cohesion also forms a core part of our event is new Circuit. A welcoming evening with a musical performance by each participant, breakfast, beer and snacks on arrival, daily prizes, etc. made the regatta an unforgettable experience. The winner was Urs Infanger, which was hard to beat last year anyway.
2024
And this year? We don't know the winner yet. But we do know that 28 starters is a record. Almost half of them are from abroad.
Steffi and Michael Jakobs, now supported by Manuela and Ulli Libor, like the last 9 years, have once again put together a regatta with great commitment that leaves nothing to be desired, neither on the water nor on land.
Once again we will have enjoyed some great racing at the end
Again on Tuesday we will have a few more pounds on the scales.
And again we will have enjoyed the friendship among Europe's 2.4mR sailors.
Thank you for your patience, have fun and good luck!
Detlef Müller-Böling, GER 99