ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta gets a boost

Volvo 70s, new classes and Earth Wind and Fire

In May 2007, two Volvo Open 70s will set sail for Scheveningen (Netherlands) to participate in the offshores of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. On Tuesday May 15, Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine (ex-Pirates of the Caribbean) will line up for the annual Vuurschepenrace from Scheveningen to Harwich (UK). On Friday May 18, she will be on the starting line for the North Sea Race back to Scheveningen. Whether the victorious ABN AMRO One will join her, depends on her tight racing schedule. The black boat will compete in the Caribbean Antigua Sailing Week that concludes at the beginning of May, before returning to the Netherlands as soon as possible. In case she doesn't reach the Dutch coast in time, the winning VO 70 and her guests will sail the courses of the inshore regatta over 25-28 May. The organisers expects about 500 yachts and dinghies to compete in this year’s regatta.

Bouwe Bekking also returns to his homewaters to participate in the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. Last year, Bekking and his crew had to abandon their Volvo Open 70 movistar during the Volvo Ocean Race. Now, he will step on board the Swan 45 Bolidt Synthetic Systems (NED). Prior to the start on Friday 25 May, Bekking will christen the metallic orange coloured Swan. Another familiar face from the prestigious ocean race is Gert-Jan Poortman (NED). The bowman of ABN AMRO Two will be tactician on board Eclectic, a Dehler 44.

Hans Bouscholte doublehanded

At the beginning of 2007, Ruud Kapteijn from the Netherlands took it upon himself to encourage sailors to compete doublehanded in the offshore races. The organisers of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta promised him doublehanders would be welcome. If there are eight entries or more, they can have their own class. At the moment, Hans Bouscholte (NED) is the fourth doublehanded entry for the two offshores. He will race with Peter Desmedt (BEL) onboard the Brunel Open 60. Bouscholte considers his participation as a training for the Barcelona World Race 2007 and the Vendee Globe 2008, in which he hopes to start.

Frans Sluyters, PR Manager of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta said: “We are very pleased to welcome our national top offshore sailors in Scheveningen. The competition's level will be unusual high.”

From this year, the big boats will no longer compete under IMS. Instead, the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta will have classes IRC 1 to 4 and ORC 1 to 4.

There are some changes in the dinghy regatta as well. The O-jol will not return and the Javelin and Laser SB3 will be added to the long list of invited classes. Laser Standard sailors have own racing at the Holland Regatta held in Medemblik, which will be sailed at the same time, so only the Laser Radial will be present in Scheveningen this year.

New home

Scheveningen Harbour is in the process of being restructured. Due to the building of Nautical Center Scheveningen, the annual sailor's village of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta faces a big change as well. As Sluyters explains: "Nearly 1,000sqm of brand new building, located on the former slipway, will be furnished as Captains Club and regatta office. That is fantastic. The party tent will be set up along the newly arisen regatta square.”

The musical social program will commence with a performance by 1970s funksters Earth Wind and Fire. The organisation also considers the additional options for involving the public in the event. Sluyters: "We think of organising a harbour festival with lots of music, street parades and a great laser show on the dock of the second Scheveningen Harbour."

More info

The ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta starts on Tuesday 15 May 2007 with the traditional Vuurschepenrace for IRC and ORC yachts. This offshore of 110 nautical miles goes from Scheveningen to Harwich. On 18 May after a layday, the starting gun will be fired again for the North Sea Race of 180 nautical miles back to Scheveningen. The inshore races will be sailed from Friday 25 May until Whit Monday 28 May off the Scheveningen coast. The fleet consists of dinghies, beach catamarans, Olympic and one-design classes, modern and classic yachts.