_luukleclercq.nl

So yesterday I just edited the link to the “as it happens”-commentary on Sailing Anarchy. Today I wanted to share my view…

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First of all, what an amzing thing that everyone is able to follow what happens out on the courses. Mark-roundings, photos and more delivered as it happens. During the Volvo Ocean Race in Rotterdam I sort of did the same, but only written updates and not half as much people following it. The extend of the coverage and the fact that a lot of SA-ers are involved make for some spectecular event on the interweb.

Then on to the sailing part:

IRC 1: Big boats, not really got my attention. 4 Swan 601‘s competing with some other big boats. Russell Couts (one of the best in the world) is calling tactics on a Swedish Swan, but only managed to get 1 great result out of 4 races.
IRC 2: Some great (semi-)custom yachts compete here. The Irish ‘Magic Glove‘ has got three bullets and a sixth and sits right behind the TP52 ‘Windquest’ (four 2’s). The new Rogers 46 ‘Yeoman‘ doesn’t seem to be on the pace yet, but as this is the first outing of the yacht I think she will get up to speed. The R/P IRC-45 ‘Sjambok‘ looks as if she needs some breeze to perform to her rating (which seems logical as a offshore-round the cans compromise).
IRC 3: The French Sinergia 40 is currently sitting in second place, right behind the brand new CS 42 ‘Esmeralda’ (only hull number 2 and already right on the pace, or so it seems). The CS42 seems to outperform the Swan 45 OD not only under IRC, but also on the water (elapsed time).
Click here for the results of the IRC-fleet.

Farr 40: Some fierce competition with one team excelling. Alinghi has build a substancial lead over the rest of the fleet, but the competition is tough and the regatta all but over. The yachts may have become a bit outdated, but the new masthead chutes and the competition makes for an appealing class.
Mumm 30: Dutchman Peter de Ridder and Mean Machine are sitting in fourth place, but the week is long and the differences small. The fleet isn’t that big, but the competition is fierce.
Click here for all the results of the Farr40, Melges32 and Mumm30 fleet.

That leaves PHRF racing and the other od-classes. I’ve got no connection to those, but for results, here and here.

Photo’s:
– Official KWRW-photos can be found here (Tim Wilkes)
– Sally Collison has made some photos, but they’re not yet uploaded (available through theDailySail.com).
– Personal Gallery #1

Video:
– Day 1
– Day 2

For News and updates as it happens, click here
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Said to be one of the world’s greatest regattas, Key West Race Week has it all for the Northern Hemisphere Sailor:
-Steady wind (important)
-Nice temperatures (always good)
-Beautiful Venue (not bad if you’re out on the water all day)
-Great Shore-side
-Awesome Racing (not the largest fleets, but some of the best sailors are present)

After the first day of racing, some of the latest custom boats have shown that preparation is as important as the gear. IRC-2 looks to me as the most fun class with lovely yachts competing. Here ‘Sjambok’ did not perform as well as in the feeder-race last week (the design a little more focused on the offshore stuff?). The new Rogers 46 ‘Yeoman’ started well compared to that same race. The Irish Ker 50 ‘Magic Glove’ is showing off some good potential against some of the TP52’s. The production canter ‘Chieftain’ (Cookson 50) seems to perform close to her rating. I am looking forward to the firs pics of the racing in this class.

Also interesting will be to see how everything evolves in IRC-3. Here the new Club Swan 42 (a.k.a. NYYC 42) makes her debut on the racing-scene. At the moment she seems to outperform a Swan 45, in the class a French Sinergia 40 has the lead with two bullets. Surprising to me, since I thought a Sinergia 40 was designed for IMS and not IRC. I guess that there have been some modifications to the keel…

Also interesting are the OD-fleets. The Melges 24 and 32 do not ring a bell, but the Farr 40 and Mumm 30 classes have some of the best competing. In the Farr 40 class ‘Alinghi’ has the lead (and yes this is the same Alinghi we know from the AC). Peter de Ridder and his ‘Mean Machine’ currently occupy third place in the Mumm 30 class.

More info on Key West Race Week can be found here. For a direct link to the results click here.

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For news as it happens, click here (and do not forget to refresh regularly!).
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Ciao,

Luuk

Just uploaded the new design for my website. Some content changes as well.

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the database has been updated, photos and résumés are available
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If all goes as planned, a new stylesheet should make the latest page also a little better readable…

Ciao,

Luuk

Well, if you know me, you’d know I am just a little fascinated by boats, especially if they get their speed from sails. So I present you with a little boat porn:

The New Sjambok (IRC 45 racer, Reichel-Pugh design) the third boat I know of after an 1D48 (bloody fast at last years North Sea Regatta) and a TP52 just had her first race and it’s looking fabulous! Here’s a link to her hauling ass downwind from Fort Lauderdale to Key West in preparation of Key West Race Week (large file).

And here is a nice pick of the boat (from the Hakes Marine Site):

Then there is the new TH38, the Team Heiner 38.
Design: Juan Alfabet
Builder: Schaap Shipcare
Development: The team behind Team ABN AMRO

We’re talking about a 38 foot, cantingkeel turbo’d raceyacht. Impressive looks, electronic power for the retractable prop and the canting keel system, carbon build and a canard that goes the opposite way of the keel. First auting: Cowes Week 2007.

Some pics (from their site):

Now, where did I leave my lottery ticket?

So the second week on January and my muscles are sore as hell. My squash opponent (to whom I lost many games last summer) is in the Netherlands for a week and we decided to play some games this week. The first one was last Monday (8th of January). And Wednesday will see the rematch.

I can’t say I expected much of myself, but I certainly wasn’t going to give up easy. It showed and whilst I barely could breathe at the end I did win. Yeah!

So what’s next…

Well today will be the rematch. Tonight will be focused on saying goodbye to Lou. She’ll be going to South Africa for 6 months on an exchange program. Thursday will hopefully result in a car that is allowed on the road for another year. Someone decided to change the sensors that are broken on my car, so it’s up to duck-tape and lubricant. I’ll be keeping up with my study and still will have to wait two weeks before the first sailing of the new year.

That’s about it for now.

Ciao

Okay, maybe a little late. But y’all already know.

The best wishes for 2007 (and beyond).

To all:
may the wind be with you and guide you to victories both personal and in companionship of family and friends on and off the water.
To (keep on) living in good health, wealth and companionship and to keeping the love alife!

Ciao

Like some of you might remember, last year I worked for BYMNews.com during the Rotterdam Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006. I wrote several articles (published on the internet and linked to by other news-sites around the globe) and took numerous photos (if you search, you’ll probably find them on their site).

Anyway, those photos are now in their archives and since I was young and foulish I hadn’t put a lot of effort in selecting the photos. That’s all in the past, but the people behind BYMNews.com have decided to expand the news service with a internet-glossy. A downloadable magazine in PDF-format. I’ve read the first issue and noticed my name in the credits.

The lay-out is still a bit rough and the artwork could look a bit more professional in my humble opinion, but the content is quite nice actually. Personally I’m looking forward to the next issue.

Ciao

Just some…

From last Saturday…

Right, I’ve also got a new cell no. Anyways If you didn’t get it, you know where to look.

Ciao

Sunday evening, and some time to think about all that’s happened over the past few days. So the one week break from studying came nearer and nearer and it all started on Friday with a special evening at the fraternity. Whilst everyone was having pizza at home afterwards, we were missing one of my housemates. We learned during dinner (if you can still call it that at midnight…) that he had fallen victim to “zinloos geweld” (or in English, he got the shit kicked out of him for no particular reason). So the happy mood disappeared and two of my housemates went to the hospital to visit him.

Saturday came and dinner came closer and closer. I started on the starters (for 30 instead of 32 people) at around 9 in the morning and I didn’t have enjoyed much sleep in the week leading up to the event…But 4 o’clock came and the different dates had either appeared or were being picked up at the train station. For me that was the deal, so I walked in my outfit (Count von Count) being purple and all through the huge crowds last-minute shopping for Christmas. The amount of smiles and positive feedback was a nice start to the dinner. Anyway, my date and I walked from the station to the skating rink in the centre of Delft where we met up with the rest of the dates and had quite a bit of fun on the ice. And with a Glühwein we went back to my (our) home for the start of the dinner.

Being responsible for both starters and the soup, the tension was mostly in the relatively speaking early hours of the evening. Just to bring you up to date we started with a lovely (even if I say it myself) Tarte-Tatin with sweetened red onions, with some rocket salad and a Glacé from Balsamic vinegar. Next to that were a pair of red-pepper fried shrimps with a citron syllabub. The soup was a simple chicken stock to keep things light with a coconut crispy thing. Even the day after got me compliments for the taste of things, though personally (and with hindsight) I’d have prepared the starter differently and searched for more contrasting flavours. After these courses it was time to sit back and enjoy the main course: Lobster and Beef. IT WAS AWESOME! (and I probably made a big fool out of myself trying to get the most lobster possible). And after that the party just got better and better.

Well I suppose I should put some time and effort for you to describe my date. I’ve been looking for a girl (looking really great, being really nice and single) and didn’t succeed. So there I was, Thursday afternoon and no date. Thus the focus shifted to a score of two out of three. So I called someone who had accompanied me before and set me up with a friend of hears a half year or so ago and… she was the first one who could actually made it. Just some simple rules to obey from my side and I think the most important one was for us both to have a good time. I think I succeeded.

This morning was kinda tough since my date had to leave quite early. But this also gave me a head-start with cleaning the mess that is the result of a great night. And then during the afternoon everybody started to gather their stuff and go back o their parents for the holidays. I’m there now as well.

That’s all for now.

Ciao

ps. My date failed to meet one criteria, that explains all.

pps. photo’s will follow, haven’t got my HD hooked up here yet.

To all I’ve forgotten (I know I must have left out a couple of Kiwi’s, a guy or two in Oz and the States pobably completely…)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Enjoy this time of year, kep me updated on the Hobart and let’s see the 700th wicket on Boxing Day as well.

Ciao