The Hobie 16 showdown at the 137th Travemünde Week delivered spectacular, high-octane sailing on the Baltic Sea. Following a turbulent opening under the cliffs of Brodtener Ufer, Ulf Hahn and Katrin Wiese-Dohse ultimately secured the coveted trophy.
This year’s Travemünde Week demanded absolute peak performance from the catamaran crews right from the very first whistle. Battling through ferocious and unpredictable conditions, the Hobie 16 fleet put on a thrill-a-minute display of racing across the Bay of Lübeck.
Day 1: Capsize Chaos, Furious Gusts, and a Flying Start
Opening day was an absolute wild ride. Out on the media course positioned directly beneath the steep cliffs of Brodtener Ufer, the wind proved fiercely unpredictable. With gale-force gusts slamming the fleet anywhere from 8 to 25 knots alongside severe wind shifts, the Baltic Sea demanded ultimate boat control. Unintended dips into the chilly waters were practically inevitable as several boats tested the limits.
Mastering these tricky conditions best on day one was the all-male crew of Maurice Schwarz and Roman Kühler (representing Bocholter Hochschulsegler). Delivering a flawless, authoritative performance across the day’s three races, they sprinted into the overall lead—holding off the reigning German Vice-Champions, Ulf Hahn and Katrin Wiese-Dohse.
Day 2: Tactical Finesse Sparks the Turnaround
The second day of regatta racing brought noticeably milder weather, though the waters remained thoroughly challenging. Characterized by shifting breezes and fluctuating wind strengths, success now hinged entirely on sharp tactical acumen and positioning.
This was the moment for the mixed team to shine: Ulf Hahn and Katrin Wiese-Dohse (SC Kellenhusen) launched a breathtaking comeback charge. Blasting through the final races with a phenomenal series of 3-2-1 finishes, they surged past the competition to claim top spot in the overall standings. Schwarz and Kühler held strong after their explosive opening day to secure a well-earned silver medal.
Photo: Tom Schreyack
Final Results: Hobie 16
|
Position |
Crew Members |
Club / Location
|
|
1st Place |
Ulf Hahn & Katrin Wiese-Dohse |
SC Kellenhusen |
|
2nd Place |
Maurice Schwarz & Roman Kühler |
Bocholt |
|
3rd Place |
Lukas Riepe & Wiebke Finkemeyer |
Surendorf |
Right on cue for the prize-giving ceremony on Sunday evening in the harbor, the Hobie fleet wrapped up their Travemünde Week appearance on a high note—touching shore just moments before heavy rain squalls swept across the area.
Full Results: Available on manage2sail.com (Hobie 16)
Source and Transparency Note: This article is based on official reports from Travemünde Week and was created with AI assistance and editorial refinement.
