The 50th world championships in the international 505 boat class will take place from 20.-26. August in front of Rostock-Warnemünde. Some favorites have already warmed up at the International German Championships, which were held at the end of July as part of the Travemuende Week. German champions were the double world champions Dr. Wolfgang Hunger (Strande / PYC) and Holger Jess (Eckernförde / KYC).
Claas Lehmann / Martin Schöler (NRV) were hot on their heels. In third place was the multiple 18-footer world champion Howard Hamlin with professional sailing professional Cam Lewis (both USA) at the bow. These three boats are the top favorites for the World Cup, because the reigning champions Morgan Larson / Trevor Baylis (USA) will not defend their title in Warnemünde. Other aspirants for victory are Flying Dutchman Olympic gold and bronze medalist Jørgen Bojsen-Møller with his brother, the well-known sailmaker Jacob Bojsen-Møller (both DEN). Mike Martin / Jesse Falsone (USA) should not be underestimated either. Martin switched from the bow to the tiller after becoming world champion in the "Five" with Howard Hamlin in 1999. The prominent participants include SAP founder Hasso Plattner and the American billionaire Philipp Kahn, who usually collects titles in the well-known offshore classes with his professional Pegasus Racing team. The anniversary World Cup will be celebrated with a special event: the HSH Nordbank Night will take place in the Hotel Neptun on Sunday evening. In addition to ISAF President Göran Petterson and the Australian America's Cup legend Sir James Hardy, other sailing celebrities are expected. Many of the best sailors in the world have sailed 505s in their careers, and some, like Paul Elvstrøm, consider him to be the boat with the best sailing characteristics ever.