Vuurschepen race 2010. Image copyright Ronal Koelink - foto-nautiek.nl.
by Diana Bogaards
On Wednesday morning May 12 2010, the Otium Pogo 40 of skipper Bert van der Hoeven (NED) took the line honours of the 65th Vuurschepenrace from Scheveningen to Harwich. At 5:35 AM local time, the 40-foot racer crossed the finish line off the British coast of Harwich. The fleet of 46 yachts enjoyed reaching conditions in a strong a breeze. That resulted in a quick crossing, as start of this year's Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta. Peter de Ridder (NED) and his crew onboard of the Checkmate Swan 45 came in second, followed by the 16-year old and refitted E-mission Farr 40.7 of skipper Erik van Vuuren (NED), who won the IRC 1 on handicap.
'It was a prosperous race for us", said Van der Hoeven after his shower this morning. 'It was blowing between 26-29 knots all the time. We sailed the genoa for the first 40 nautical miles and we hoisted the gennaker for the last 53 NM. Our boat loves these circumstances." The Otium also won the ORC 1 class. Their top speed was 19.85 knots and the average speed about 15-16 knots. 'After the start, we had only four boats behind us at the first mark. However, we passed the Checkmate at exactly 20:50 PM and took the lead from there."
Two years ago, Team Otium also participated in ideal conditions. Van der Hoeven: 'We finished second, behind the Pleomax and ahead of the Checkmate. We have a new set of sails, which is a huge difference in comparison to 2008." That season, Pleomax set a new record of 10 hours and 29 minutes. With 11 hours and 15 minutes, Otium was not able to challenge this fastest time so far. Van der Hoeven: 'That is a pity, so we will have to be quicker next year."
Panther - "I couldn't believe my eyes"
The IRC 2 fleet was the fastest on handicap. The black Panther J-105, in 2009 purchased by the Dutch ladies Yvonne Beusker and Edith Voskamp, beat everybody else on handicap. They could drop their sails at 7:37 AM local time, which is 13.41 hours on corrected time. The E-mission was second fastest with exactly 14 hours, followed by the IRC 2 competitor Xcentric Ripper J-109 of John van der Starre (NED) at 14.04 hours. Radboud Crul, occasional crew on Panther and honorary member of the Dutch North Sea Club, reports: 'At the North Shipwash, we were still ahead of the Foxy (IRC 1). I couldn't believe my eyes, but we had to beat up from there and they were gone." After rounding the two marks in the middle of the North Sea, the course changed to southwest and the gennaker could be hoisted. Crul: 'These circumstances favoured us. We had an average speed of 10-15 knots with a maximum of 17.9 knots. We are very happy with our performance." Team Panther won the IRC 2 class.
At 11:44 am local time, the Celestine came in as last boat. That was the end of the 65th Vuurschepenrace. The sailors will enjoy their sleep tonight and the traditional lunch at Pin Mill tomorrow afternoon.
North Sea Race
After a flying Vuurschepenrace, the teams will have a lay day on Thursday and the prize giving ceremony in the evening. On Friday May 14th, the competitors will line up for the 185 nautical miles North Sea Race back to Scheveningen, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The first finishers are expected on Saturday morning off the coast of Scheveningen. The prize giving will be on Sunday in the afternoon.
Both, the winners of the North Sea Race and of the two offshores combined will receive their prizes. The youngest crew (average age) with the best results in both offshores, will be awarded with the Hans Horrevoets Memorial Trophy for.
IRC 1 (9 entries)
1. NED - E-mission, Erik van Vuuren
2. Ned - E-clectic, Koen Lockefeer
3. NED - Checkmate, Peter de Ridder
IRC 2 (7 entries)
1. GBR - Panther, Yvonne Beusker/Edith Voskamp
2. NED - Xcentric Ripper, John van der Starre
3. NED - Rebbons, Teun van Liebergen
IRC 3 (3 entries)
1. L'Esprit du Morbihan, Vincent de Vries
ORC 1 (4 entries)
1. NED - Otium, Bert van der Hoeven
2. NED - Angry Pirate, D. Bezemer
ORC 2 (13 entries)
1. NED - Redan, Hein van Schaik
2. NED - Giel, Robert Jockin
3. NED - Antares, Frans Winterswijk
ORC 3-4-5 (10 entries)
1. NED - Que Guapa, Kees Groeneboom
2. NED - Together, Marcel Blomsma
3. NED - Jutter, Miech Pronk
Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta 2010
