YF employees recently gathered in Cologne, Germany, to cheer on the Yanfeng Dragonstars, the 25 team members who participated in Dragon Boat races at the Fühlinger See. This was the sixth year Yanfeng team members participated in the annual competition with other local companies and organizations racing along the rowing course on a series of connected lakes. Our Yanfeng Dragonstars were able to secure victory by winning first place against four other teams in the C-final. 

YF employees recently gathered in Cologne, Germany, to cheer on the Yanfeng Dragonstars, the 25 team members who participated in Dragon Boat races at the Fühlinger See. This was the sixth year Yanfeng team members participated in the annual competition with other local companies and organizations racing along the rowing course on a series of connected lakes. Our Yanfeng Dragonstars were able to secure victory by winning first place against four other teams in the C-final. 

Before the race, the team held two training sessions to get to know one another and practice their paddle technique. “Each year, I am again surprised by the willingness of the team to make a good race,” said event organizer and YF’s Chief Engineer, David Ribaric. “Even with lots of new colleagues from year to year and being low on training, we always manage to enter the first quarter field, amongst all participating teams, with times that make me proud.”

Many YF employees were eager to participate in this year’s race as last year’s event was canceled. “When we heard that it would finally be happening this year, I was happy to join the group,” explained Jennifer Wendt, Senior Professional of Marketing and Events. “I like these activities, and you get to meet other colleagues in a more casual environment where the focus is not on business.” 

Annually, this race emphasizes the importance of teamwork as the sport requires the group to work in unison to pick up speed. “My favorite part of the event was the last race where everyone in the boat put in all their last bits of energy, and we were so in sync,” Wendt explained. “You could feel that this was a good race, and we actually might have won.”  

YF’s Director of Product and Program Management, Andrea Hees, also accepted this challenge after hearing about the race through her colleagues. Living in Stuttgart, an area south of Germany, it was difficult for Andrea to participate in the training and race; however, she wanted to experience this event for herself.  

“I have only been with the company for a short time, so it was also an excellent opportunity for me to get to know my Neuss colleagues privately,” said Hees. “Getting to know each other is particularly easy in sporting events, and the dragon boating race is a special experience because, as in professional life, it is made possible together as a team.” 

Congratulations to our Yanfeng Dragonstars!