What a delightful venue for the fleet of 12 IOMs which took part in this national championship at the Willem Alexander Barn venue just outside Rotterdam.
Competitors from Emsworth, Poland, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands assembled on Saturday for the start of this two day event.
By lunchtime, after an 11.00 hrs start and 6 races, the positions were Emsworth P3 and P5 which augured well with bringing a trophy back to UK.
Relaxed friendly sailing in a decent A rig breeze. After lunch, a very sociable 1 hour affair, racing resumed with all to play for.
Alas poor yorik...the brown-out gremlins struck the Yellow V3 causing it to slip down the order to P7 by the end of the afternoon, with DCs Britpop moving up a place to P4. Bah humbug.
Having thought the problem was solved by adding a capacitor to the V3 receiver, Sunday dawned as a B rig day with some fierce rain. Clearly this was not to the V3's liking, never mind it's owner. The gremlins returned with involuntary multiple turns and other nonsense. I called it a day, in order not to throw the boat in the dustbin.
DC meanwhile soldiered on to complete the 30 races managing to hang on and finish P5. His maladies were caused by a misbehaving Rudder Servo, which will be ceremoniously smashed into pieces on his return. Phone for tickets to watch.
In spite of taking an 'early bath' as Eddie Waring used to say, my Alioth V3 finished second from last without any meaningful sailing on Sunday.
In spite of the challenges, this was a brilliant weekend of sailing. Friendly understated efficiency, plenty of coffee breaks, super hospitality, relaxed approach to the rules and no delays for moving the windward marks to accommodate the wind shifts. The Dutch have perfected a simple solution
Please call for more information and I'll reveal all subject to copywrite.
Final results:
