| ROELOFARENDSVEEN, THE NETHERLANDS-(12-4-2004) During the Easter weekend of 2004 (9 - 12 April) the Yacht club Braassemermeer and the OCN (Optimist Club Nederland) organised the 19th International Easter Optimist Regatta. This year 264 young sailors from 12 countries competed fiercely to win this prestigious event. Even 20 competitors from the United States of America were there to race!
Friday afternoon the 19th of April a practice race was held to give the competitors a chance to get used to local circumstances. Saturday and Sunday they were split up in 6 groups, competing amongst each other.
Saturday started with drizzle and light winds from the West. Halfway through the first race the wind shifted to the North, so the start of the third group was postponed. While shifting, the wind also increased to about 11 knots, which made it possible to sail all planned three races. During the day the teams from Sweden and the Netherlands showed to be the strongest, occupying the first 9 places.
Sunday also started with light winds, about 7 knots from Northerly directions and later on shifting Westward. Despite the light and shifty winds, both planned races could be sailed, although both shortened for the last starting groups, due to lack of wind (first race) and major wind shifts (second race). By the end of the day, all scheduled races were completed. After these 5 races there were still 9 sailors from Sweden and the Netherlands in the top 10, with Victor Bergström (Swe) on first.
Monday, the final day of the 19th International Easter Optimist Regatta brought us sun and comfortable temperatures but no wind. All sailors were kept ashore while waiting for wind, but weather forecasts were not very promising. At the beginning of the afternoon winds picked up a little, but did not become stable and strong enough for fair racing so all races were cancelled.
This makes Victor Berström winner of the 19th International Easter Optimist Regatta, with Gijs Pelt (Ned.) being second and Henrik Grim (Swe.) third.
Scores take into account 1 discard
No Zeilno Name Points 1 2 3 4 5
1 SWE 3969 Victor Bergström 10,0 1 1 5 3 (11)
2 NED 2497 Pelt Gijs 17,0 2 3 3 9 (20)
3 SWE 3961 Henrik Grim 19,0 16 1 1 1 (23)
4 NED 2572 Bladel Sander van 23,0 (9) 4 4 8 7
5 NED 2511 Wijman Freek 24,0 2 (31) 12 9 1
6 NED 2533 Aacken Peter van 26,0 2 2 8 14 (38)
7 SWE 3924 Theodor Bonnier 27,0 4 6 (27) 2 15
8 BEL 983 Willemart Mathieu 27,0 7 (55) 10 5 5
9 SWE 4011 Jacob Lundqvist 31,0 (23) 17 11 2 1
10 NED 2577 Disselhorst Guus 31,0 1 15 7 (21) 8
More information about the Yacht club and the event can be found at www.braassemermeer.nl
Brunotti Sportswear, Print Productions Scheveningen, De Skihut, Svenson Marine, van Wettum Boats, OlimpicSails, Optiparts and MSL Telecommunicatie sponsored the 19th International Easter Optimist Regatta.
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