Let’s dance on Lake Alster

In the heart of the city of Hamburg, the first ever Star Sailors League City Grand Slam, will take place on Lake Alster. The wind conditions on the lake can vary tremendously, both in direction and wind speed. Reading the shifts, pulling off perfect starts and text book maneuvers, all on short legs, will be the keys to success.

Whilst the helmsman will be in control of the Star, the crew will need to perfect trimming, tuning, boat balance and maneuvers to maximize performance. Bruno Prada was born in São Paulo and formed a winning partnership with Robert Scheidt. The Brazilian pair have won three Star World Championships and two Olympic Medals in the Star. Bruno came desperately close to a fourth world title with Augie Diaz in 2014. Bruno will be crew for Augie for the SSL City Grand Slam on Lake Alster, Hamburg, this May.

“Typically we will be racing at the SSL City Grand Slam in 6-12 knots of wind in tricky conditions. It is a small lake surrounded by a lot of buildings and trees, so the wind will not be constant and it will be a big fleet in a small area. I grew up sailing optimists on Lake Guarapiranga in SãoPaulo City with Robert (Scheidt) and the conditions for Lake Alster look much the same.

Setting up the rig will be very different from the Bahamas, in shifty 6-12 knots, you can play the set up with a lot of power, especially at the top of the rig but if the wind goes light, the bottom of the sail will be a problem, so you have to compromise. I can change some of the rig settings during the race, downwind if the wind changes then the shroud tension will be altered, as will the rake.

Malcesine (ITA), 5th July 2014
Star Class World Championship
Fraglia Vela Malcesine
Day 6
Photo © Marc Rouiller/SSL

Starting well is always important, especially in light airs on a short course. Getting a good place and getting acceleration off the line is the goal. As the crew, the most important thing for me is to keep the boat moving in the pre-start. Never let the boat stop or you will not be able to accelerate and if the boat is moving it is easier to maneuver and you will avoid making big mistakes.

Heal is the balance sideways, in shifty unstable wind, keep the boat balance a little bit towards on the leeward side. The crew is very important in maintaining this because if the crew does this without the skipper asking, then he can concentrate on the regatta and the whole team needs to be a little bit further forward to keep the stern out of the water.

Rolling through the tack is very important in light airs. Initially both the skipper and the crew try to go a little bit to leeward and push the side down. In a smooth synchronized movement, you both move to the new leeward side of the boat. One of the very important things is keeping the jib a little bit tight to leeward in the tack, this helps the bow move faster through the tack.

In a big fleet or a short course, all of the mark rounding are super important. Synchronizing with the skipper is very important to make the move as fast as possible. Upwind, arriving on starboard will be very favored, as this type of racing will have a lot of boats at the top mark together. Downwind, try to race on the edges of the fleet. Tactically this can be a risk but in the middle of the pack there will be little wind and in a big fleet, clear air is very good.

To take victory on Lake Alster at the first ever SSL City Grand Slam it’s a dance around the lake and it will need to be carefully choreographed by both the helmsman and the crew.

Live Coverage May 3rd – 7th, 2016

At the SSL City Grand Slam, hosted by Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, Hamburg, Germany, over 90 teams will be competing from 18 different countries. With many Olympic medallists and Star World Champions racing, the action will be fantastic!

Full coverage of all the action will be streamed live on the internet with expert commentary from special studio guests. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also race the course with Virtual Regatta.

For more information visit the official SSL City Grand Slam website: http://d40hnaevzk.preview.infomaniak.website

Louay Habib