Part of something bigger

Round Texel to be included in Zwitserleven Sailing Week

As of 2009, the Round Texel Race is to be continued as Zwitserleven Sailing Week.

This high-performance event unites spectacular activities that raise the adrenalin. For decades the main focus was on the Round Texel Race itself, whereas the new program becomes more extensive, challenging and longer, not only for the competitive and recreational sailors, but also for spectators.

The first considerable addition is the 2009 World Championship Windsurfing Slalom that will attract world's best windsurfers.

From 8-13 June, the Texel beach at Paal 17 will be the center of everything that sails on the sea, beach and through the surf at high speed. The Dutch Catamaran Championship has expanded to three full (instead of half) racing days with the ultimate Round Texel Race on 13 June. After the last finish on the first three days, the participants are welcome to compete in the TNG Short Track Races. The exciting finals will be held on Friday. There is also more to do for fun seekers, as the Light House Race to the northern point of Texel will be added to the traditional Horstocht to the south.

Spectators will be presented with a variety of activities, such as clinics and presentations in the Pitlane on the beach. There will be several demonstration sports. The sand offers a perfect course for the sensational experience of land yachting with Volvo Blokarts. Meanwhile, the kitesurfers will show their skills in the surf and the high-performance sailors their acrobatics on skiffs.

Development

"It is our aim to develop the Round Texel Race and Texel Dutch Open altogether", said Sidny van Zon (NED), Chairman of the Round Texel Foundation. "Every year, we put a huge effort into building a fantastic event area at Paal 17. It is a pity that it can only be used for a few days and therefore we looked into the possibilities of expanding the concept. The Zwitserleven Sailing Week will unite the less conventional and especially spectacular classes into the high-performance event on the annual racing calendar." Participation should become extra challenging and appealing.

"Additional advantages are the early arrival of participants, lots of activities for the audience and the media can cover more top sports", says Event Co-ordinator Edwin Lodder (NED). The goal for 2010 is to further develop the Zwitserleven Sailing Week: "We will host the Nacra Worlds and hopefully 49er and Extreme 40 races." The windsurfing element will remain part of the program as well.

The Zwitserleven Sailing Week 2009 is also supported by VVV Texel, TNG, Treffers & Kappa, Nissan, Paal 17 Events, Rab-Texeler, ROC Mondriaan, TESO and Liebherr.