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Proving once again that he is a man of the people, Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister, Peter Harry CARSTENSEN made his way across the event area of the Rolex Baltic Week in the Ancora Marina, Neustadt, to personally greet Queen Silvia. She came to the regatta venue in a luxurious Bentley and gave waves and smiles to the several hundred spectators. Queen Silvia and Peter Harry Carstensen then boarded the 65-foot Maranatha that served as the committee boat for the charity race preceding the Hanseatic Lloyd Dragon World Championships that will begin on Monday 22 August. Race fees, donations and the bids of an auction summed to more than 110,000 Euros. The money raised will be used for abused and exploited children worldwide.

CARSTENSEN, about whom it is said that as a student, he had often spent more time sailing than studying, gave proof of sailing skills. Acting as helmsman he safely steered Chrisco, owned by current world champion Dieter SCHÖN (GER) across Lübeck Bay. Alexander ESHKOV (RUS), however, successfully hunted him down on Alisa. The charity race was won by Jevgeni KASAKOV (EST) on My Best, followed by Valery of Konstantin EMELIANOV (RUS) and European champion Claus Hoj JENSEN (DEN) on HLL-Calliston. Three-times America's Cup winner Russell COUTTS (NZL) and many other prominent sailors also took part..

It was only after lunchtime on Sunday that the first slight breeze blew across the Baltic Sea. The absence of wind had the IMS 600 yachts waiting for the starting signal for quite some time. They than made a rather slow start to their long-distance race, which may well keep them out at sea for 20 hours unless the wind picks up. By Sunday evening, the fleet had already spread apart, with some yachts preferring the right and others the left side of the course. Right from the start, it had been mainly a tactician's job for the German and international favourites to the title.

With three bullets under his belt by now, Claus BRESSLER (GER) sailed his Swan 56 Chrila to a doubtless lead in the Swan Race, presented by Deutsche Bank. The last years winner dominated all three races so far followed by Bobby LUCHTE (GER) on his Swan 44 MKII Moriju scoring three seconds. Third rank overall is held by Harald BAUM (GER). The vice president of the German Sailing Association finished fifth and twice third with is Swan 48 Elan.

Results of the Rolex Baltic Week

Swan Race presented by Deutsche Bank

1. Chrila, Claus Bressler (Germany) 3 points, 2. Moriju, Bobby Luchte (Germany) 6, 3. Elan, Harald Baum (Germany) 11.

Charity Race of the Dragon

1. My Best, Jevgeni Kasakov (Estonia), 2. Valery, Konstantin Emelianov (Russia), 3. HLL-Calliston, Claus Hoj Jensen (Denmark).