Dutch Dart 18 Nationals at Hargen aan Zee

Amounting to no more than a few revamped sea containers placed on the beach, CatClub7.2 proved to be an excellent venue for the Dutch Dart 18 National Championships. Extending a warm and friendly welcome to sailors from South Africa, Aruba, Luxembourg, Germany and the UK who provided the largest fleet outside of the home nation in the 49 boat start line.

Large seas running, the wind only slipping below 20 knots for one race in the series of eight, provided three days of spectacular racing from the long sandy beach protected by the very special dunes at Hargen en Zee.

Fresh from his victory at the Belgian Dart Nationals, Britons David Lloyd and crew Eloise Knott (dinghyinsurance.com) dominated the event winning four and taking second place in three races.

Steve and Jeff Morgan (twoanchorsracing.com) also took a winners gun leaving just three races to be won by the lowlanders. Theo Jorritsma took one and top female helm Angela Hendriks and crew Reinout den Teuling took the remaining two victories and with it second place overall behind Lloyd.

A truly great event, excellent shoreside hospitality and terrific racing on the water, British boats all finished the week in the top half of the fleet, all in one piece except Mike Gomme's OMG that had a one metre hole in it. With just four days until the UK Netley Nationals it was a quick dash back to blighty.

Photos can be found on Facebook, here, here & here.

Overall Results: