OSY400 World Championship 16th & 17th August 2008

WORLD OSY 400 CHAMPIONSHIP

Twenty eight drivers from seven European countries arrived in Berlin Grunau for the 2008 World championship for the OSY 400 Class. Problems arose before the event started when a couple of drivers decided that the course would not be suitable for this class. The Officer of the Day had changed the first lap to the long course to ensure maximum safety, but in the first training session involving 27 drivers, they thought that the water would be too rough and it would not be possible to race. In the second timed session only seven drivers were on the water with some unsportsmanlike and bullying tactics being used to stop the event. After a second drivers meeting it was decided to proceed with the championship with a maximum of 14 starters in each heat instead of the original 18 by water approval. Qualification heats were necessary with Anja Friedrich (GER) on pole for Group A from Philip Franz (GER) and Erszebet Lucas-Ticska (GER). Group B had Swede Christoffer Soderstedt on pole from Polish driver Michal Swerczynski and Miroslav Basinski (SVK)
When Group A were called to the jetty only 9 boats appeared. Laura Stainyte (LIT) established a lead after 1 lap over Friedrich, but then by mistake raced to the long course buoy on lap 2. Friedrich took the lead to win after 4 laps from Philip Franz (GER), Tomas Torv (EST) Dominykas Stankevicius (LIT),Diego Bacchiega (ITA) with Stainyte also qualifying by powering through to sixth position.
Group B had only seven starters, Michal Kosut (SVK qualified along with Alexander Graeff (GER) , then Swedish drivers Christoffer Soderstedt and Robert Engberg and local drivers Andreas Noack and Stefan Probst..
Four drivers took part in the reprecharge with Alex Zilioli (ITA) and Algo Kuus (EST) taking the final two places for the finals. Marek Peeba (EST) and Stefen Mertens (GER) were the unfortunates to miss out along with the drivers who had already boycotted the event. Some of whom, now in retrospect, were maybe thinking their decision was too early, with water conditions now good.
Surprise leader of the first race of the finals was Philip Franz (Ellmers Racing GER) with the GSC, who unfortunately crashed out at the midway stage of the six lap race. The race was stopped and Diego Bacchiega (ITA) with the Trombetta boat took the win in the restart by 5 seconds from Alexander Graeff (GER) with Anja Friedrich (GER) just 2 seconds behind. Laura Stainyte, Christoffer Soderstedt and Alex Zillioli were next. Eleven scored points with Stefan Probst incurring disqualification.
Diego Bacchiega was chased all the way in heat two on Sunday morning by Anja Friedrich to win in a time of 6.15.05. Alexander Graeff was third ahead of Michal Kosut. Staintye was holding a good third, until a collision holed her boat and she struggled on to finish fourteenth. Soderstedt and Engberg headed Probst and Zilioli in midfield.
Heat three was progressing well with Michal Kosut in the Trombetta boat leading after 4 laps from Anja Friedrich (Lucas boat). Alexander Graeff was ahead of the Italian Bacchiega with Soderstedt and Stainyte behind. At the far turn the Lithuanian Dominykas Stankevicius attempting an overtaking manoeuvre overturned his Bazinsky boat and the race was stopped . With 70% of the race completed the result was declared.
All fourteen drivers started the final deciding race, with Diego Bacchiega off the pace. Michal Kosut took the lead from Anja Friedrich, and the young lady tried everything to take the lead, driving to the left and the right, but good tactical driving by Kosut held her off.Christoffer Soderstedt won the battle for third place with Laura Stainyte. Alex Graeff pulled out of the race after five laps and Bacchiega was almost lapped in thirteenth and last position.
With the best three from four races to count, both Bacchiega and Kosut had 969 points, but the fastest race time of Bacchiega was superior to that of Kosut and he was proclaimed World OSY 400 Champion for 2008. Anja Friedrich for the second year ended up with the bronze medal.

COURTESY OF TREVOR CHATTERS