To start or
not to start, that’s the question
All
elements of competition sailing were included during the weekend of 25 and 26 May in Muiden. On
Saturday morning all boats were in the water and prepared for racing, however,
the wind was very minimum. The racing committee postponed the races and we had
an extra cup of coffee. After a while some boats couldn’t handle the situation
in the harbour and decided to go on the water. Soling sailors, as many other
sailors, are just like animals living in a herd, if one goes the rest will
follow… But the question was still remaining; will there be a start or not? On
the water boats were training, testing new sails (and some old) so all used the
day as best they could. Later in the afternoon the racing committee did a brave attempt
to start a first race. All signals where there that it could happen; starting
line in position, boats moving around marks etc. But some of the competitors
had a “Muiden World Championship 2018 déjà-vu”. At the end of the afternoon the
racing committee made the decision, no racing today and all boats were towed
back to the harbour. Fortunately the wind forecast for the Sunday was a lot
better so everybody was looking forward to the next day. And yes, nature acted
according to the forecast and there was sufficient wind to start a race. Spot on
time, the Muiden crew knows how to organize things, the first race started. Good
breeze, good sailing and good competition, battles where delivered for every
centimetre of the course. This is how competition sailing should be! But, also
according the forecast, the wind speed increased in the afternoon and sailing
became harder during the second race. Some boats had difficulties, a Chinese
gype or reduced the risk and didn’t hoist a spinnaker. But others had more
severe problems and had to abandon the race. Because of the reduced amount of boats on the water and the wind speed
still increasing the question came back; to start or not to start? The racing
committee answered the question for us and no third race was started. Although
we had only two races this weekend we can look back at a well-organized and
pleasant weekend, thanks to the Muiden racing committee. The wind we cannot
change but we’ve enjoyed the sailing and the competition. The results show that
the young kids (NED 44) can handle a Soling with a well-deserved third place,
congratulations! And of course for Ben Boogaerdt (NED 37) congratulations with
his second place and Bram Soethoudt (NED 38) winning first place.
Nicky van Zon
Crew NED 49
| RESULTS MUIDEN 2019 | |||||||
| Helm | Middl | Bow | Points | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1 | NED 38 | Bram Soethoudt | Hans Zijlstra | Ivo Teerling | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | NED 37 | Ben Boogaaerdt | Gerben den Hartog | Carl von Lindern | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| 3 | NED 44 | Nynke Verwoerd | Kai Spruijt | Stijn Kruijt | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | NED 33 | Rudy den Outer | Pauck Knape | Ramzi Souli | 9 | 1 | dnf |
| 5 | NED 49 | Han van Veen | Nicky vd Zon | Sjors van Hensbergen | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| 6 | NED 48 | Danker Rijk sr | Danker Rijk jr | Arko Hoondert | 11 | 3 | dnf |
| 7 | GER 314 | Marcel Barie | Tim Clausen | Isabel Barie | 15 | 7 | dnc |
