(The Hague, Netherlands)- One of the most important major regattas
in the Netherlands is the North Sea Week. Teams from all over Europe
migrate down to the beautiful seashore and beaches off the Hague and
other points to sail dozens of one-design classes, ranging from most of
the Olympic classes, to some old Dutch classics, to several of the
J/Boats range, including the J/22, J/24 and J/109. Included in the
offshore festivities are large, competitive fleets of handicap sailing
boats, including IRC classes. In the IRC Division alone are top J/Teams
racing J/109s, a J/111 and J/122.The J/22s will have a good fleet of a dozen boats participating, including the "Big LIFT/ TU Delft" teams of "Happy Star" (Jeoen Moens), Happy Future (Nico van der Kolk) and Happy Sky (Jochem Nonhebel). Must be one Happy Team! If recent regatta results are indicative of what might transpire in this regatta, look to see one or more of these teams occupying the top spots on the podium.
With
a half-dozen J/24s participating, it looks like it will be anyone's
game to be the top Dutch team as it doesn't look like any of their arch
rivals and friendly competitors from Germany will be crashing the party
to plunder for some silverware!The J/109s got themselves organized this year to do one-design racing in a few key events along the North Sea/ English Channel. The expected turnout of ten or so boats will be taking place with a British team joining them from across the Channel-- Wim van Slooten's FIRESTORM. After their solid showing in the recent Vuurscheppen Race/ North Sea Race, expect to see Paul van der Pol's YETI near the front of the pack as well as perhaps Rein Bakker's BIG TIME and A van Leeune's JOULE.
In IRC Class, one of the top contenders will generally be the J/111 XCENTRIC RIPPER heading up a fully-crewed team led by John van de Starre and Robin Verhoef. As a "double-handed" team, John and Robin got the silver as a top-scoring boat in the combined Vuurscheppen Race/ North Sea Race the previous weekend! For more Delta Lloyd North Sea week sailing information
|