Dutch National Sailing Centre

New facility to open in Schenevingen shortly before the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta

The Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta 2009 will be the first event to benefit from Holland's brand new National Sailing Center in Scheveningen. Just two days after completion, on 27 May, the event's race organisation and sailors will be the first to use the new facility.

"At this moment, an awful lot of builders are working extremely hard to finish the National Sailing Center in time", says organiser Frans Sluyters. "It's a bit nerve-racking." The venue will house the top sailing department of the Watersportverbond (Dutch Royal Yachting Federation), the offices and club house of Jacht Club Scheveningen and a top-end restaurant, run by Michelin star-chef Paul van Waarden. After years of calculations and protest hearings in portacabins, the organisation will finally have proper offices, and the sailors can utilise the brand new and spacious washroom facilities. Unfortunately not everyone can savour the cuisine of chef van Waarden, because the restaurant is reserved for VIPs only. For the official opening of the National Sailing Center, a very special guest is expected.

One of Netherlands' largest sailing events, the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta has again expanded this year with more classes.

With over 40 classes, about 3.500 participants from more than 10 nations, the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta is one of the biggest regattas in the Netherlands. Professionals and amateurs, big yacht owners and surfers; once a year they all come together. This year, the First 31.7 and the very fast International 14 are participating for the first time. The prestigeous Club Swan 42 is also joining the event for the first time. The Farr 30 (ex Mumm 30) is returning, because the organisation managed to attract some international teams. For the Flying Dutchman teams and the windsurfers, the races are of utmost importance, because they not only are competing for the NSR-Super Cup, but also for the Dutch Championships in their classes.

Beach entertainment galore

For the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta, a beach stadium is specially set up. Usually beach sport events take place in this stadium, but now there is a water basin with spectacular board demonstrations and there are matches with radio controlled model boats. Families can go treasure hunting, an activity that has become immensely popular over the years. At the quayside, Caribbean-style street parades enhance the atmosphere. Visitors can watch the catamaran and surf races from the beach. Some of the races that are further away, can also be closely followed from the big screens and from the website, thanks to a track-and-trace system.

On the big stage in the sailors village a surprising line-up is ready to rock. Lady Linn and her Magnificent Seven have won many prizes in Belgium, but are quite unknown in the Netherlands. The jazz singer and her enormous band are about to change that this summer. The 15 ladies of Girls Wanna Have Fun are guaranteed to give away a fantastic show. This collection of famous Dutch singers plays its varied repertoire with infectious enthusiasm. Trafassi, Groove station and Kees Kingsize will also appear on stage.

On Tuesday 19 May the Mayor of The Hague, Jozias van Aartsen, will give the starting signal for the Vuurschepenrace, from Scheveningen to Harwich. This 110-mile offshore opens the event. After a rest day in Harwich, the IRC and ORC classes return to Holland on Friday 22 May, sailing the RORC North Sea Race. During the Whitsun weekend, from 29 May until 1 June, more than 40 classes race off the Scheveningen coast. Classes will include big yachts, Olympic classes, catamarans, open boats and surfers.

Delta Lloyd is the main sponsor of Holland's largest sailing event on open water.