Huge congratulations to all who raced in the ORC Double-Handed World Championship in Norway, especially to Michael Höfgen and Eckhard Kaller of Germany who raced Arcona 385, ??????????, and finished 3rd in Class B!
The third edition of the ORC Double-Handed World Championship 2024 began on 11th June. Hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (Kongelig Norsk Seilforening – KNS) and organised with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the championship saw world titles in the double-handed sailing discipline contested in a 300 to 340-mile race on the legendary Skaw Racecourse, starting from Oslo and finishing in Tønsberg on June 14.
Sixty-eight boats from ten nations – the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and Norway – gathered at the KNS marina in Dronningen, Oslo. From 8-10th June, ORC Chief Measurer Zoran Grubisa led thorough measurement checks covering inspections of safety equipment, onboard gear, sails, and crew weight.
The championship featured a diverse fleet, including past champions, one female crew, 11 mixed crews, and several family crews. Among the contenders are past champions and podium finishers, including a World Champion, two European Champions from 2023, World and European runner-ups and bronze medalists.
Arcona handed over the new Arcona 385, ??????????, to her owner, Michael Höfgen, at the end of March, which did not give much time for Michael to prepare and practice before this race.
Watch the short film below to meet the dynamic duo of Michael Höfgen & Eckhard Kaller from Germany, filmed prior to them securing bronze in Class B in the ORC Double Handed World Championship.
Eckhard Kaller hailing from the picturesque Lake Constance, is an avid lake sailor and works for North Sails, where the new set of sails for their boat was developed. This is the second time Michael and Eckhard are sailing together double-handedly. Their first venture was highly successful, winning the German DH Championship in 2022 ???.
Michael Höfgen previously owned a high-performance racing boat, the ??? ??.??. However, he opted for the cruising and family-oriented boat ?????? ??? due to its exceptional build quality, stylish interior, 2.2m draft, and impressive race performance. This boat has undergone modifications based on recommendations from ORC optimizer Max Gurgel.
Notably, Michael, along with Max Gurgel, secured second place in Class B at the inaugural ?ORC DH Worlds/Gotland Runt in 2022 with his JPK 10.30. This race in Norway presented a significant challenge, particularly navigating the exit out of the Oslo fjord. But with their experience and expertise, Michael & Eckhard took on this thrilling adventure to secure a podium finish – in an Arcona 385 – relaxing to cruise, thrilling to race. Congratulations!
? KNS / Trond R. Teigen / Axel Nissen-Lie