Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta - Vuurschepenrace Start
by Diana Bogaards 15 May 2012 23:24 BST
15-28 May 2012
Vuurschepenrace start © Ronald Koelink /
www.foto-nautiek.nl
On Tuesday evening May 15th 2012, the traditional Vuurschepenrace commenced with tough sailing conditions. The 110-mile offshore from Scheveningen to Harwich is the annual opening of the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta. Fifty yachts left the Dutch coast with a northwesterly breeze of 22-25 knots. The Hague Councilor Karsten Klein fired the gun for a rough and cold night racing across the Channel.
It blew early evening 22 to 25 knots from the northwest, which is expected to build to 25-30 knots. There were no incidents at the start, although the Baraka GP Swan 42 of skipper De Graaf (NED) and the Boudica First 40 of Berend Veldhoen (NED) were early over the line. They had to go back and restart. The Lenco Salona 37 of skipper Erik van Vuuren (NED) was well off. Although from the second row, but with height. Meanwhile the Lenco sails among the front runners, accompanied by the Scheveningen J/111 Xcentric Ripper of John van der Starre and the J/122 Junique of Chris Revelman.
Ocean sailors on the North Sea
Global Ocean Race sailors Erik van Vuuren (skipper of Lenco) and Yvonne Beusker (skipper of Panther) are among the participants. Only a week ago, this duo came home from its first double handed adventure in the Global Ocean Race. Halfway through the fourth leg from Punta del Este in Uruguay to Charleston / USA Beusker replaced the owner of the Sec. Hayai, Nico Budel. The occasional team managed to catch a boat and finished third.
The students of the TU Delft Challenge are also part of the fleet. In July, they will compete in the Tour de France à la Voile. These North Sea offshores are a good opportunity to train their skills. They will for sure experience a cold and rough night on their Spartan racing machine, the M34.
Auction for human rights
Geert-Jan and Carry Knoops returned with their Dehler 41 named Miles4Justice. This laywers couple raises money for projects to protect human rights through participation in major sailing events. This year, the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta supports again this charity and therefore organizes an American auction. This takes place at the prize giving of the North Sea Race, on Sunday May 20 in Scheveningen. Anyone can offer money that will top the previous bid. The total amount goes to he Miles4Justice foundation.
Participants can win a special 'sunset sail' onboard of the 40-meter J-Class Rainbow on Sunday 27 May along the Hague coast. At the helm of this classic yacht is former Olympian Mark Neeleman and on Sunday 27 May he takes the strongest crew of the Netherlands. Almost the entire Olympic sailing team will crew that evening.
About the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta
On Tuesday May 15, the starting gun of the 110-mile Vuurschepenrace from Scheveningen to Harwich was fired. This is the first race of the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta. After a lay day in Harwich, the IRC and ORC classes sail the R.O.R.C. North Sea Race back to Scheveningen on Friday May 18. During the Whitsun weekend, from May 25 until May 28, hundreds of boats compete in the inshore races before the Coast of Scheveningen. Several disciplines will participate: big yachts, current and former Olympic classes, one-design classes, catamarans and open boats.
For more information about the 2012 Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta and for tracing & tracking the fleet across the Channel, please surf to www.dlnsr.nl