| TEXEL, THE NETHERLANDS-(9-6-2005) M20-team Pols/De Laaf dominated the second day of the Texel Dutch Open with two victories. The British youth sailors Kearns/Burns finished third twice and maintained their overall lead. Jorgen Kerstens and Paul Smissaert (NED) are still in second position with their M20, followed by Repeat Team Willem Geijssen and Rico van Capelle on a new Capricorn (F18). The north-west wind increased during the morning until force three with a blue sky. The strong current caused many black flags.
Xander Pols: “This weather is amazing and Peter made us a very special sail.” The M20 of Xander Pols and Sven de Laaf is equipped with a Maxx Multi Axial Fabric sailcloth of Contender. Sail-maker Peter Vink of Performance Sails: “It is composed of sixty percent carbon and forty percent kevlar and the surface is seamless. As a result, the forces can be better focussed on the fibres, which causes a more stable sail.” According to De Laaf, the tension on the mainsheet and the position of the boot require the greatest care: “But then we go like crazy.” Jean-Louis and Jacqueline Flier could follow them closely in the first race. Jean-Louis Flier of Repeat Sales Promotions, sponsor of the Round Texel: “We had a good start at the pin-end. We were off in first position. Xander caught up on us, but we could stay close to the other M20.” A second place was the result. “And first F18”, adds Flier.
Chaotic second start
The start of the second race passed off chaotically. After two general recalls, the black flag flied on the starting vessel. Daan Koene: “Many teams were again too early over the line, which caused another general recall. Not everybody managed to be back on time, due to a strong current. We had a port start, which came out well.” Rikkert Graat en Daan Koene finished with their Capricorn behind Pols/De Laaf.
Horstocht
After several cancellations the last couple of years, the Horstocht was finally sailed today. The conditions were good enough to start with 55 participants. Guided by security boats, they went to the Hors, which is a protected natural area at the southern part of the island. They had a break with fried fish, whereupon the fleet returned.
Clinic for early subscribers
This afternoon, the olympic Zwitserleven Team of Mitch Booth and Herbert Dercksen gave a clinic for the first ten subscribers. Finally, about thirty interested participants of the Zwitserleven Ronde Texel asked their questions. They got tips varying from sailing through the surf to the fastest route around the island. Afterwards the crowd went to the pitlane, where the team’s Hobie Concept Boat was exposed. The six meter hulls remind of the Hobie Fox shape. “But that is about it”, says Booth. “There is nothing more standard. The whole boat is made of carbon, except for the beams. The platform is wider with 3,10 meter. It has a lot more sail. The main and jib together measure 30 square meters and the spinnaker 31. The mast is 10,5 meter. The complete Hobie Concept has a weight of 145 kilogrammes.” Booth and Dercksen, overall winners of the Zwitserleven Round Texel 2004, go for the line honours (first finisher) with this catamaran.
The last two races of the Texel Dutch Open 2005 are scheduled for tomorrow morning. Sponsors, media and relations will sail out in the afternoon. They will compete in the ProAm-race. Furthermore, the participants of the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race will make their last preparations.
Top five TDO after four races:
1. F18 – Kearns/Burns (GBR), 10 points
2. M20 – Kerstens/Smissaert (NED), 21 points
3. F18 – Geijssen/Van Capelle (NED), 32 points
4. F18 – Gummer/Power (GBR), 32 points
5. iF20 - Visser/Visser (NED), 36 points
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