After a nice week (with lovely weather and very little on the agenda) the presure is back on…
First there is a deadline for a project for university. Then there are the ordinary study obligations and upcoming is a weekend with the whole house.
So long days of hard work are coming up, especially because next week I’ll be racing to England and back during the offshores of the North Sea Regatta…
Time to get back to the project.
Ciao,
It’s me birthday, today…
And to celebrate that, the past week was filled with doing very very little…
The weather was great, I did do some work on an assignment and I prepped the Yngling so that it is ready to go in the water.
Well that’s it for now, I need to work ahead this week in preparation of a fun weekend with all my roommates and of course the offshores the week after that.
Ciao,
Luuk
As promised a summary of the past weekend…
On Friday we (Manne, Renate and myself) changed the boat from the delivery set-up to the racing set-up. All went good and smooth and so we found ourselves having dinner with the boat almost ready to go at a reasonable time.
Saturday started light, very light. The crew got together and was ready to go. The boat is sticky in the light and so we went for the line early, unfortunately we got luffed and were too early. After a dip it was up to the crew of getting some places back.
The winds got lighter and the second start was very slow for us. No big mistakes, just not enough speed and a terrible feeling on the boat.
The third race start went well and so did the sailing, the upcoming sea breeze however forced the race committee to abandon the race and re-start. That went well again and in 10-12 knots we finally felt like we were actually racing.
Result of the first race-day: 9th, 13th and 6th (in the order of races).
Afterwards in the sun it was time for (free) drinks and a buffet and it was a sailors’ party (which, of course, ended not too late).
Sunday was possibly even lighter at the start, some changes with the set-up had us late on the water and at the start. the concentration seemed to be lacking within the crew and things just did not go as planned (and hoped!). Still difficulties with getting the boat up to speed in the light stuff. The second start was postponed because of the dying breeze, but just in time did the sea breeze arrive. Whilst not as strong as the day before the breeze was just enough to get us going and we sailed really reasonable around the course. Focus within and hard work had our second good race of the weekend.
All in all we finished 9th (11th without discard) overall in the first gathering of Dutch finest, not staggering but one must remember we are busy developing both the boat and the team at the moment. There have been taken a lot of photos, but none of the available ones (at this moment) feature the boat/myself in a nice way.
Next event will be the offshores of the North Sea Regatta in May. Until then it is back in the books and getting the Yngling ready for the occasional sail on the Kaag on nice days.
Ciao
Ps. For photos/reports check out http://www.clubracer.be or http://www.vanudenreco.nl
So only 15 hours left before my weekend starts…
On the agenda:
* Prepping of the boat (EclectiC)
* Racing the boat
* Enjoying the first Dutch sailors party of the season
* Racing day 2
* cleaning up and going home
And that’s it for the weekend. Not too busy as you can see. More info on the racing this weekend should be available by clicking here.
Other things I’d loved to do this weekend:
* Meeting up with my (former) neighbour who’s over from Scotland for the weekend
* Getting the Yngling ready to sail
* Getting up to date with some friends “for old times sake”
Will try to keep a more regular schedule for updates here and will report back on the regatta ASAP.
And wouldn’t it be nice if the Louis Vuitton Cup finally got underway (it is looking to be as blessed with wind during our regatta as well…)
Anyway, leave a comment or say hi.
Ciao
So the first regatta with EclectiC is a fact.
The weather was great (we could have done with a bit more and steadier breeze), the fleet of a high level and the crew great.
I only arrived on Wednesday morning and after a mere 2 hours of sleep it was time for a training session. After 5 minutes out on the water I was already soaked to the bone (not the fault of the MPX Race-gear) but sailing on the bay out of Trinité sur Mer was very nice.
A long clean up and some work on the boat later we had dinner and it was off to bed. Thursday was another day of practice, this time with the full crew (including our navigator for the regatta Wouter Verbraak). And when we left the boat she was all ready to race.
Prior to my arrival some of the crew had been trying to work on the hull and appendages (fairing them and getting it symmetrical) and it made a bit of difference… Still it only came as far as trying…
Friday and the first day of the regatta. A bit late for the start and stuck in bad air as a result. Our high mast helped us getting out of the bad place, but boats with a lower rating were sailing along side of us. Shifting gears were not up to the required level, but overall the handling of the boat was not bad. After the first race, the RC decided not to start again in a (building) 8 knot breeze… Result: 13th
Saturday started with a ‘course super banane’ (W/L-course) were we started more aggressively, were in the first line and with clean air could get of the line well. Again we did not make any fuck-ups and we had learned the boat a bit better. Result 12th, not bad in a fleet of 46 boats with several known IRC-winners and great crews.
The second race was a ‘course cotiere’ (a race around set buoys). A good start was not rewarded when the wind died and over 200 boats piled up at the leeward mark. To save the boat in this carnage the engine was started and we retired. The winner finished very late, we got a DNS (instead of a RET/DNF) and were not allowed redress for taking action against collision.
Sunday and another beautiful day. Race 1 saw us again starting well and we found the gear shifter and worked it well. No mistakes, good crew work and an 11th place as a result.
The second race was like the first only this time it resulted in a 13th place. For the day we had a good feeling about our sailing, but it was all a bit disappointing looking at the results, for sure our rating is no gift and the boat definitely needs some work to the bottom.
Monday -the final day- and one race to do. The first start we were over early, but at the same time everyone was. The second start was good; I got almost hit by a boom of a windward boat that did not stay clear but again a first line start. A good beat and well sailed downwind followed by another good lap of the course… Then it all went bananas. In the last leg (upwind to the finish) we didn’t choose the right way to sail and the wind completely died. From the fleet of 46 boats, only 11 managed to finish the race in time…
After the race it was time to change the boat into the delivery-mode. Whilst motoring back all the sails were packed and ready to leave the boat and while the boat got filled up with gasoline we all ran back and forth with stuff between the boat and the van. A last night on the town (also the first…) and Tuesday driving back home.
21 and 22 April is the next regatta, Van Uden Reco, and we should be able to perform well after the learning session in France.
Here are some pics:
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And some video of ‘Spi Ouest’ can be found here.
(or direct links to the video: http://sailingnewstv.mypodcasts.net/audio/sailingnewstv-2007-04-07-69954.mp4 : http://sailingnewstv.mypodcasts.net/audio/sailingnewstv-2007-04-07-71963.mp4 : http://sailingnewstv.mypodcasts.net/audio/sailingnewstv-2007-04-07-73960.mp4 : http://sailingnewstv.mypodcasts.net/audio/sailingnewstv-2007-04-09-64276.mp4)
Brand new Dehler 44SQ christened ‘EclectiC’
A brand new Dehler 44SQ has been christened in Port Zélande in the Netherlands two weeks before the first regatta appearance of the new model.
One of the first boats of Dehler’s new 44SQ was build to be the new EclectiC. After sailing and racing a Dehler 39, the EclectiC Sailing Team could replace the boat with a brand new model from the same yard. In an evening filling event both the boat and crew were presented to the public. The christening was part of an evening in spectacular fashion that only seems to be matched in the America’s Cup and other Grand Prix racing classes. For the team it are exciting days with the season opener only two weeks away.
Surrounded by smoke, light and sound the boat arose from the darkness of the night and in perfect harmony with the sound and lightshow the boat was moored in front of the audience. The christening-ceremony was executed by the wife of the owner, Mrs. Ditte Lockefeer. The champagne and speech were accompanied by fireworks and a separate screen showed footage of the boat sailing.
With the boat christened and safe the team responsible for the boat was presented by owner and skipper Koen Lockefeer. Maarten Voogd explained about the process of Dehler and the designers (Alexander Simonis and himself) in creating the first boat in a new line and new direction for the yard. The builders were presented and got the recognition they deserved for a job well done.
Last but not least the sailing crew was presented. The team is based on the crew of the former boat but after a pause there have been some changes. The team consists of a mix of experience and youth with the most striking name that of ABN AMRO 2 crew member Gerd-Jan Poortman. Poortman has a history with the team and will take on the roll of coach and tactician to further develop the team.
The EclectiC Sailing Team is the first team that has taken delivery of this new model and are preparing for the Spi Ouest in la Trinité sur Mer during Easter. This regatta promises to be a real spectacle with several new designs for the first time sailing against each other. The French Commodores Cup winners ‘Paprec Recyclage /Spirit of Malouen’ have a brand new Archambault 40 to replace their successful Synergia 40, both the new J-122 and the new X-41 OD are also present together with a large selection of proven IRC-performers.
After the season opener in France the schedule of the Eclectic Sailing Team consists of the following races:
– Van Uden Reco Stellendam Regatta
– ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta, EclectiC will compete in the full event
– Skandia Cowes Week
– Rolex Fastnet Regatta
– Dutch National Offshore Championships
More information on the EclectiC Sailing Team can be found at: sailing.eclectic.nl
Check this promo:
http://sailing.eclectic.nl/movies/sailing/sailing.html
Ciao
ps. I tried to insert the flash thinghy right here, but this script won’t let me…
busy times ahead indeed…
The past weekend was filled with sailing (again) and it looks as if we get the boat more and more sorted out. Great weather, sunny and some nice breeze, and on Sunday a sparring partner.
No real fuck-ups, just sometimes missing the ability to change gears everywhere on the boat. I have been to the top of the mast more times than I could count, also when sailing. That is quite the experience, especially when heeled. I really felt weak after the past two weeks (when I felt quite ill…) and had difficulties pulling myself up to the top of the mast.
Still need to get a bigger mouth as the boss of everything in front of the mast, got a heap of responsibilities but need to let everyone of the crew participate in getting stuff done and prepared.
On too the busy times… Still one weekend left of practising, Friday I have the big reunion of my house and I already have exams coming so today I start studying (specifically) for the exams.
Anyway, I look forward to the coming month: First perform at the exams then on too France and have a great first regatta with the team.
Ciao
This is what is the result of the past two weekends:
“Hallo allemaal. Officieel momentje, luuk komt ons team versterken. Welkom luuk. Zijn nummer is …”
The above message is the confirmation to all teammembers of the Eclectic that I am part of the team. Our schedule consists of the Spi Ouest in La Trinité sur Mer, the Uden-Reco Regatta (Stellendam), the North Sea Regatta (including the offshores) out of Scheveningen, Cowes Week and the Fastnet and the national offshore championships.
More information on the team can be found on the website here.
I look forward to the upcoming season.
Ciao,
Luuk
and damn tired.
So it all started Friday, housewarming of two former roommates and prior to that the going away (moving out of the house) dinner of two more (now ex-)roommates. It was fun, enjoyable, nice to see some friends and just generally starting the weekend in a very relaxed manner.
Then came Saturday, wake up at 7.30 and grab all my gear of to a day of sailing (see also here) and on to Carnival in Sittard later that day. Arriving at Marina Port Zélande the search stated for the boat (if you still haven’t clicked, try here). What a beauty…
Here is a pic of the boat, there was a photographer on the water taking pics fo the practising but haven’t seen any links to those yet… This photo is taken in Barcelona.
Ok, first some work needs to be done on the boat (isn’t that always the case?) and some things just took a bit more time then expected. The weather was nice though and the sailing later in the day was nice as well, just too bad my routine wasn’t really up to standards but learned heaps again. Not only does the boat look the business, she feels the business as well. The crew is definitely experienced and eager to learn as much and as fast as possible on how to improve the handling and performance of the yacht. Everything around the sailing was organised very well and I could have left my smock and trouser at home, sailing-gear was supplied (and no half measures have been taken in that department either).
The Dehler sails really nice, though I haven’t been able to sail the boat (trim or drive) but instead could focus on the work on the foredeck. Made little mistakes, didn’t have the correct solution for every situation present and had a new lay-out to get used to. But the tips from the team’s trainer (Gerd-Jan Poortman) really helped and were very motivating. I didn’t do a half bad job either, going to train with them next week again and I look forward to that already.
After sailing I jumped in my car and took off to Sittard for a dinner and some carnival. After two and a half hours through the Netherlands, Belgium and Limburg I arrived as the latest one of my club. Not much later, the beer was changed for wine as the snacks were changed for a lovely dinner. The long day and the combination with the alcohol took their toll and when quite some people of the group dipped in to the carnival-scene several others (including me) made our way to bed. It didn’t take long before the rest returned and all were sound asleep.
Sunday was again early rising and the return trip to Zeeland for some more activity on the water. Some DIY-ing but also practising the hobby I love so much and a great view from the top of the mast after checking the mast and all the fittings.
After a small drink in the marina time to go home, satisfied but tired.
Ciao,
Luuk
