Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race to be expanded in 2012

2011 Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race © Ronald Koelink / www.foto-nautiek.nl

This year's 48th Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race will be expanded. A new sports buoy off the coast of Medemblik (Netherlands) is added to the course map, allowing participants to sail extra nautical miles. Furthermore, the ORC yachts without spinnaker will have their own class. Teams can register through the new website www.deltalloyd24uurszeilrace.nl. The starting gun will be fired on Friday August 24, 2012 at fifteen locations around the Ijsselmeer and Markermeer. The massive finish is a big spectacle, showing hundreds of yachts crossing the line in Medemblik.

This biggest yachting event in the Netherlands is all about collecting the most nautical miles withing 24 hours. Due to the new buoy the navigators will have more options in the final stages of the race, which makes the battle for miles along defined legs even more interesting.

Dinand de Ridder, Chairman of the 24 Hour Committee, explains: 'With the inclusion of the marks in the Wagenpad, the waterway from Enkhuizen to Den Oever south of the Bird Island, there was no possibility to create a 'small triangle' close to the finish. It was no longer possible to consider an extra leg in the final stages of the race. That was unfortunate. Meanwhile, after consultation between the government, the Royal Netherlands Yachting Association and the organization of the Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race, it was decided to put the new buoy in the area of the former WP6. This allows again for a 'small triangle' (Sport-C/WV19/KR-A), so the sailors will be happy. I expect that by the end of the race much of this will be used.'

Gill becomes new clothing sponsor

The next three years, the organization of the Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race will be recognizable by Gill clothing. Gill signed up for three editions of the sailing event and also provides the participants a special team clothing package.

About Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race

The Dutch Association of Coastal Sailors organizes for the 48th time the Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race. The combination of navigation skills, sailing, sociability and survival makes the event is still popular with yacht sailors. The fleet consists of touring and racing classes. All teams must complete as many miles a day as possible. They may only sail the defined legs on the IJsselmeer, Markermeer, the Wadden Sea and North Sea sailed twice, so navigation is essential. Besides seaworthiness and endurance of the crew, a good interpretation of the weather, the sailing area and the major currents are important factors for the final result.

The Delta Lloyd 24 Hour Yachting Race is open to the ORC Club, Round and Flatbottom-Yachts, VKSJ registered (classical) yachts, ocean-going multihulls and in non-measured yachts. The bulk of the fleet joins the tour. The rest is devided over the various racing classes.

In addition to title sponsor Delta Lloyd, the following companies are co-sponsors of the 24 Hour Yachting Race: Zeilen, Gill, Gemeente Medemblik and Stichting Jachthaven Medemblik.

www.deltalloyd24uurszeilrace.nl