Preceding this decision was an organizational marathon: So far no Elliots are available and many organizers have match races due to extremely high costs and preplanning insecurities. The Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma (Spain) and the Semaine Olympique Francaise Hyéres (France) prematurely cancelled their Match Races. Delta Lloyd Regatta Medemblik (The Netherlands) as the third European stopover of ISAF Sailing World Cup is keeping a low profile. Only Kieler Woche in June and Weymouth (Great Britain) in September have decided to carry out the Women's Match Race within ISAF Sailing World Cup.
At the same time there is only a very narrow time frame in order to realise the race on Elliots. Although Women's Match Race on Elliot 6m was given Olympic status by the ISAF the respective boats still have to be built. From May on the first Elliots shall arrive in Europe. According to the present planning status two containers with four boats for the Netherlands, two boats for the German Sailing Federation (DSV) and two more for Finland are expected in the harbour of Hamburg.
"Thanks to the support of the ISAF and an extensive mailing we now have the assurance from our colleagues in Finland (Georg Tallberg/Helsinki Match Race Centre), the Netherlands (Hessel Evertse for the Dutch Sailing Federation) and naturally Hamburg that the Elliots will be available for Kieler Woche", states Richter happily about the European solidarity. "It has to be reckoned with 40 days of seafaring so that it naturally will be tight for Kieler Woche", is warning Hans Sendes, Sports Director of the German Sailing Federation (DSV). Everything possible will be done for the boats to arrive in Kiel on time. Sails are ordered and designer Greg Elliot together with another boat builder from New Zealand will be present in Kiel in order to handle the set-up.
