Tienpont and Walta set for Offshore Double Handed Worlds in Marseille

Team DutchSail in Marseille © Team DutchSail

Dutch sailors Simeon Tienpont and Christiane Walta have arrived in Marseille for the Offshore Double Handed World Championship, which runs from September 23 to October 2.

The DutchSail duo will race aboard a Sun Fast 30 One Design in a mixed double-handed format that will test boat handling, navigation and teamwork. With identical boats supplied by the organisers, teams will be assigned their boat by lottery — adding another variable to an already demanding offshore challenge.

"It's pretty relaxed here," said Tienpont after completing registration and the initial briefings. "We've signed all the contracts, filled in the entry forms and done the first interviews."

The next step is getting to know the boat. Following the boat draw, Tienpont and Walta will have a four-hour training window to familiarise themselves with their assigned Sun Fast 30, assess the setup and develop their onboard routines.

"This afternoon is ideal for us to see how we can get the boat going in light winds," Tienpont said.

Qualification first

The first qualification race starts on Thursday, September 24 and will be an overnight race. Nine boats will compete, with the top five crews qualifying directly for the final. The remaining teams will have a second opportunity in the repechage on September 28.

The final starts on September 30 and runs through to the finish on October 2.

Conditions in Marseille are currently relatively benign, with temperatures around 26°C and a light easterly to north-easterly breeze. The forecast offers the Dutch pair an opportunity to learn the boat before the intensity of offshore racing begins.

"It's all about getting familiar with the boat, the systems and how we work together," Tienpont said.

Although only the two sailors will be onboard during racing, DutchSail has a shore team supporting the campaign. Pipi Kramer is in Marseille handling logistics and preparation, while Max Deckers provides onshore navigation support within the championship rules. Erik van Vuuren is involved as performance coach and boat-setup specialist, with the wider DutchSail team managing operations and communications from Scheveningen.

For Tienpont and Walta, the immediate objective is clear: make the most of their limited time with the boat and secure a top-five finish in the opening qualifier.