(Brassermeer, Netherlands)- Every year the J/22 fleet that sailed on the big inland "sea" called the Brassermeer that border Germany and the Netherlands host two beginning and season ending events- appropriately called the "Warming Up" and the "Cooling Down" regatta.
Most teams arrive on Friday afternoon and rig by Saturday morning. This year started off with a beautiful mill pond- water smooth as glass and reflecting all the clouds and sun perfectly! By late afternoon, a mild thermal winds kicks in to start to move the boats. Said one J/22 sailor, Thomas Gutenstein, "When a few small wind lines show on the water we go out - even if's no racing, just for fun, we sail a round. I am amazed how little we need to move the J!" After three races, the teams retire back for dinner in the clubhouse. Thomas continues, "we sit together with the four German teams, "talk shop" and end the day. Of the Dutch team, only the "Gill Racing Team" and part of the Regatta Committee is there. Most Dutch to operate the sailing as we go to the gym: Go there - Sports - have a beer or coffee and then again from home!"
After the races on Sunday with a total of four completed in the light wind conditions, all the crew puts their boats away and head for home. The remarkable aspect of sailing in Europe is that teams can come from all over the Continent and get to the sailing area, literally, by plane, train and automobile in just a few hours or less. Said Thomas, "by 1900, JAY-2-PLAY is ready to be towed home and Sophie and Martin are sitting in the train to Schiphol Airport, Martin flies to Frankfurt and Sophie takes the train to Hanover! Till next time! Thomas." For more J/22 sailing stories in the Netherlands.
