IMS 1 – Foxy overall winner
The IMS and ORC competitors could win four prizes: the Houtrustrace on Friday, the Yeoman Challenge Cup on Saturday and Sunday, the Fjellstô Race on Monday and the overall ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. The competition in IMS 1 was close with top sailors onboard of several yachts. The Satori, a Grand Soleil 45 of Steven Blom and skippered by three times Whitbread veteran Gideon Messink, won the Houtrustrace. On Sunday, they ripped out their main sail before the second start and were out of compition that day. They took their revenche by winning the Fjellstô Race. Checkmate 3, a Bashford H.41 of Peter de Ridder and European Champion IMS 600, won the Yeoman Challenge Cup with four victories and one second position. Since they did not compete in the Vuurschepenrace and North Sea Race (offshores of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta) prior to the event in Scheveningen, they had no chance for the overall title. But their performance was steady with a first and two second positions. That was also Foxy’s strength, an IMX 40 of Sander Vos. Vos: “Our biggest competitors did not sail well in the offshores or did not sail at all. The Satori had bad luck on Sunday, but otherwise it would have been very close. That is a pity.” Foxy came out on top of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta 2005 in IMS 1, followed by Yacht Vision of Harry Amsterdam and the Weerga of the Liezenga brothers.

ORC 1 – Moshulu surprised
ORC 1 was the best presented class at the yachts, with 42 competitors. Moshulu of Hans Albert de Graaf competed four days long with mainly Twister of Bas Meijer, A Boen of George Bol and the Dehlerious of Andre Sporry. De Graaf: “The competition was strong, but we sailed conservatively and without protests. We were in fifth position on Saturday, so we were surprised by this final result.

Laser – Marc de Haas supreme
The Laser Standard and Radial had some bad luck with the weather conditions and the starting boat, but finally managed to finish seven races. These olympic classes participated for the first time at the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. Marc de Haas won this first edition convincingly with six victories. De Haas: “During individual races I had some great duels with Eduardo or Roelof, but most of the times I was far ahead of the fleet. I had a better speed downwind and especially in big waves it is easy to enlarge the lead.” Because of his exceptional performance, De Haas also received the ABN AMRO Super Trophy. Gea Jutjens won the Laser Radial competition, followed by ex-Yngling sailor Annemieke Bes. Bes got a fourth position at the Olympic Games of Athens.

One-design classes
“Today was my worst day”, said Enno Kramer onshore. The old World Champion FD crossed the finish line in first and third position and won the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. His brother-in-law Geert Marx triumphed over the MaxFun’s 35, onboard Delta Lloyd. This fleet had only five competitors. Marx: “The reason for this, is that these boats are used for training. Four of us had their training at the Heiner Academy.” Team ABN AMRO, existing of bank employees, also competed in the MaxFun 35. They finished in fourth position. Walter Geurts won the MaxFun 25 cup. Marcel de Jong took the victory in the Yngling. The J22’s had some difficulties with the strong current on the last day. At least fifteen boats messed up at he upwind mark. It is John den Engelsman who may add the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta 2005 to his performance record. Ivo Kok won the J24 Class Championship and sir Zetsma went home with the X99 victory.

Catamarans – Invalid event
Due to strong wind or a wrong direction in combination with a high surf, the 91 catamarans stayed ashore for two days. In order to have a valid event, four races were needed. That was the challenge for Monday. The weather conditions were good with 3 to 4 Beaufort. It was also a selection event for the F18, with 54 competitors the biggest fleet of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. They could collect points for participation at the F18 Worlds in Hoek van Holland (July). After three sailed races, the fourth had to be cancelled due to a major windshift. But the daily winners in the F18, Dart 18, Hobie 16 and Open Class received their prizes during the ceremony.

Race director Max Behrend about the event: “It was heavy, but great. Despite the difficult weather conditions, we have been able to satisfy the competitors and visitors.” The special guests were driven around the courses in Holland Casino VIP-ribs and treated well by master cook Paul van Waarden and his team. Van Waarden relocated his restaurant temporarily to the ABN AMRO Captains Club in the Scheveningen harbour. On the beach and in the party tent, many activities were organized for sailors and enthusiasts. A large outdoor screen broadcasted semi-live images from the daily races.

Source: Diana Bogaards