Pais and Ausman in medal contention at Kiel Week regatta in Germany

Estonian sailors Helen Pais and Helen Ausman are off to a strong start at Kiel Week in Germany, one of the world's most prestigious sailing regattas. After five races in the 49erFX class, the Estonian duo sit in second place, just one point behind the leaders.

Estonian sailors Helen Pais and Helen Ausman are making waves at Kiel Week (Kieler Woche) in Germany, currently holding second place in the 49erFX class after five races, trailing the leaders by just a single point.

Kiel Week, now in its 144th edition, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and historically significant sailing regattas in the world. Held on Kiel Bay in northern Germany, the event brings together the world's best sailors across Olympic classes and serves as a crucial benchmark for national teams ahead of the season's major title competitions.

Pais and Ausman are competing as part of the Estonian Sailing Union's Olympic project "Young Talents to the Olympics," which aims to develop and support the next generation of Estonian competitive sailors. Their strong early performance in the highly competitive 49erFX fleet signals genuine medal potential as racing continues.

The 49erFX is a high-performance skiff class sailed by two women, known for its speed and demanding technical requirements. A podium finish at Kiel Week would represent a significant achievement for the young Estonian pair on the international stage.