25 classics

Nieuwpoort gearing up for the biennial Ecover Half Ton Classics Cup

'Old glories never die' - over 24-29 August, the Half Ton Class Europe will be proving that with 25 teams from seven countries line up at the 4th Ecover Half Ton Classics Cup, hosted by the Koninklijke Yacht Club Nieuwpoort and the Brussels Royal Yacht Club. The 2009 fleet features yachts by 16 different designers and highlights just how many of today's most famous yacht designers made their name in the half ton class.

To date about ten of the Half Tonners have already arrived, some of them looking more than ready, some others with still some hours of work ahead of them to get them back into the shape of their golden years. The German-owned and beautifully maintained Zick Zack undoubtedly belongs to the former category, whereas the Daniel Andrieu-designed Ballerine is very much in the second category: French owner Patrick Dubus is trying to get his boat back together, but after 17 years in a shed, the ‘to do’-list remains remarkably impressive…

Nonetheless such progress is celebrated by the local Half Ton community, at the bar of the Yacht Club and at Tom Florizoone’s yard, Yachting Wave, the two hot spots of the next Half Ton Classics Cup.

Besides long term sponsorship from Ecover, Belgian’s leading marine electronics service providers Radio Holland Belgium as well as the number one telecom operator Belgacom are backing the event and will provide a welcome pack and prizes for all participants. Local chandleries, sail makers and other suppliers are also contributing.

Past ECOVER Half Ton Classics Cup Winners:

2003 – General Tapioca (1978 Jean Berret design) – Phil Pilate BEL
2005 - Ginkgo - (1972 André Mauric design) – Patrick Lobrichon FRA
2007 - Harmony - (1979 Stephen Jones design) – Nigel Biggs IRL