Ireland’s Clementine and Nathan van Steenberge of Dun Laoghaire’s National Yacht Club have extended their overall lead in the 29er fleet at Kiel Week 2023 in Germany to three points after winning two of their three races today.

It's not Ireland's only top Kiel result to date either, with Lucia Cullen and Alana Twomey, one of five Irish crews competing, in eighth overall despite carrying a black flag results in race seven.

Competitors at Kiel Week 2023 had no reason to complain on Friday after light, faltering winds in the morning on Kiel’s outer fjord gave way to sparkling late afternoon gradient breezes which produced fast, competitive racing for the eight International classes competing.

Brilliant racing in the 29er Euro cup on Friday at Kiel Week. Photo: Christian Beeck

The day proved to be split nicely for 168 29er Eurocup racers who had a couple of exacting races in a shifty 6kts breeze which died away midmorning. Racing on the media showcourse live streamed on KielerWoche.TV - the afternoon races in 14-16kts saw the young crews at full stretch, a chance for the more powerful pairings to shine.

The Irish sister-brother pairing, who were runners-up in the overall Eurocup last year, now has four wins from six starts in their seven-race Qualifying Series. But the level of competition now ramps up into the weekend as the huge fleet splits into gold, silver, bronze and emerald divisions.

The Irish duo are looking for a top result in Kiel, not least because they have had to reduce their racing programme this season due to educational commitments and so will forego a full Eurocup tour in favour of focusing on Kiel, the Worlds and Europeans.

29er Euro Cup overall results at Kiel Week after seven races sailed with Ireland’s Clementine and Nathan van Steenberge of Dun Laoghaire’s National Yacht Club topping the scoreboard

“The winds really started to die, and there was a leftover chop, and that made it really hard to keep the boat moving fast; at times, the wind was coming from all sides.” Clementine explained their strengths as a sister and brother team: "I think we have a good feeling for the boat, and we know each other’s movements. We know how the other reacts.”

“There are a few arguments, but that is a normal teen brother-sister thing, but we are always over it quickly; we get past them very quickly.” Smiles, brother Nathan. “But on the water, we always communicate well.”

Polish pairing August Sobczak, Krzysztof Krolik, Brits Charlie Gram, and Sam Webb are second and third eleven and twelve points back.

Irish officials in Kiel

Meanwhile, Irish race officials have been on duty in Kiel Week 2023. International Race Officer Con Murphy was officiating at the Olympic classes Regatta, where he was Race Officer on the ILCA course. Irish International Jurors Chris Lindsay and Cxema Pico were on Kiel Week's international jury.