Sports in Aruba

Dutchmen Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis are in the lead after day one of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2008. The competition started off with a windy practice race with lots of capsizes, followed by the first race of the series with an average breeze of 22 knots and Caribbean sunshine. The top six finishers showed a close battle and changed positions a couple of times. The Olympic duo Booth and Nieuwenhuis, racing a F18 Hobie Tiger, played the game well and took the bullet. This year’s fleet includes 41 beach catamarans, representing six countries.

The British/Dutch duo Gummer/Bogaards, sailing a F18 Capricorn, took a flying pin-end start and leaded the pack for three laps. Gummer: ‘As soon as we cleared the line, we tacked on the lay-line for the windward mark, which was already after about 50 tot 100 meters. The rest of the fleet went further into the corner.’ Booth and Nieuwenhuis had the same plan and timing but there was no room, so they were forced to carry on. Gummer continues: ‘Mitch and Pim overtook us in the third beat, as they tacked away. They crossed ahead of us, but we were ahead of them at the next crossing. We held them on the run and the same thing happened during the last beat.’ Booth and Nieuwenhuis broke away and kept this lead all the way to the finish, although they nearly lost it.

Soon after the hoist, they gibed to the left side of the course, whereas Gummer stayed right and took advantage of a bit more pressure and a shift. Both teams met again in the gate. Booth: ‘We over stood the mark, so we had to put the spinnaker away.’ They still managed to stay ahead of Gummer, who had to give water to a catamaran of the small fleet. ‘It was a good race’, concluded Nieuwenhuis. And it was their first one together after finishing fifth at the 2008 Olympics in Qingdao. ‘We agreed with Zwitserleven and Hobie Cat to compete in the major F18 events in 2009. That means we will do Eurocat, Round Texel Race and the F18 Worlds. Our main focus is on racing the new Hobie F18.’

Xander Pols and Frank de Waard (NED) finished third with their F18 Nacra Infusion. Pols: ‘We banged the right corner of the beat twice, by which we gained many boats.’ They passed De Boer/Munck and last year’s winners Zanen/Heemskerk.

Small fleet too eager
Half of the small fleet, including six slower catamarans with a handicap rating higher that 105, was too eager at the first start. Three teams pulled on the sheets one minute too early, which resulted in a DSQ. Thirteen year old Sil Grijpma and his helmsman Henk-Johan Hankart (from Aruba) won with their Dart 18. Sil and his brother Rens (11) crew for Hankart. Their mother Francis van Baaren and sister Frederique Grijpma are also in the same competition.

Two races are scheduled for tomorrow.

Top five <105 fleet (35 entries):
1. NED – Booth/Nieuwenhuis, F18 Hobie Tiger
2. GBR – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn
3. NED – Pols/De Waard, F18 Nacra Infusion
4. NED – De Boer/De Munck, F18 Hobie Tiger
5. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Hobie Tiger

Top three >105 fleet (6 entries):
1. ARU – Grijpma/Hankart, Dart 18
2. NED – Baas/Baas, Hobie 16
3. ARU – Valize/Maarten, Nacra 580

The Aruba Catamaran Regatta is sponsored by Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), Heineken,  Martinair, Hapag Lloyd, Holiday Inn, Setar, AWA, Coca Cola, TNG, Does & Cadushi, Aruba Aloe, Palmtours, Aruba Watersports Center, Atlantis, Pelican Nest, Moomba Beach, Zwitserleven and Alfons de Letter.

Tierra del Sol had just been awarded a 4 1/2 star rating in the 2008-09 edition of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” which this year rated nearly 6,000 courses in North America and the Caribbean.

“The course was evaluated by approximately 20,000 Golf Digest readers on a five point scale,” reports the elated head professional at Tierra del Sol golf course, Oliver Riding. “The laurels,” says Managing Director Ann Brown, “are being shared between our head professional and the course’s tireless, Aruba-born superintendent, Haime Maduro.”

At the end of the rating questionnaire some of the comments made by those rating the course for Golf Digest included: “It’s hard not to have a wonderful experience with these breathtaking views.” Another golfer raved: “It’s a spectacular combo of desert and ocean,” while a third one summed up what many felt: “Ranks up there, as one of my favorites.”

The 4-star rating explains Riding, is a great accomplishment for Aruba and the Robert Trent Jones II design which relies on 1,800m3 of desalinated water, and a crew of twelve dedicated maintenance men to daily manicure its 110 acres of grass, featuring 6,811 yards of golf. With only one 5-star golf course in the Caribbean, Riding and Maduro are confident that their 5th star is in the making, hopefully for next year.

Tierra del Sol, Aruba Resort, Country Club & Spa opened in 1995, flaunting 18 holes of golf, on a resort course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The desert-style course features sweeping vistas of Aruba’s coast, sand dunes and the California lighthouse. While the average green fees are about $150, reduced fees are available weekdays and at twilight, also for juniors and seniors.

The course accepts tee time reservations 365 days in advance, and is open year round, from January to December. Tierra del Sol mandates carts, and does not offer a walking option. Riding and Maduro report the fairway turf grows Bermuda grass and that a grass practice range is available. The course, they add, is graced with more that 100 bunkers and best of all, the facility includes a full service gourmet restaurant in the club house named Ventanas del Mar, and a casual grill and bar at the highest elevation, the Look Out Bar & Grill, facing Palm Beach and the high-rise hotels.

Maduro who worked on the course since opening day and who planted each blade of grass on the greens is proud of “his baby” and credits all accomplishments to his team for their consistency and great attention to detail. Riding who last weekend helped organize the successful Aruba Pro Am in its 14th edition, also credits his crew, complemented by golf pros Heath Henrich, and Adam Williamson.

The rating, explains the Golf Digest website means that Tierra del Sol is perfectly positioned between the four-star “outstanding golf, good enough to plan a next vacation around it,” and the five-star “Super. Golf at its absolute best. Pay any price to play at least once in your life.”

This story submitted by Rona Coster-Kahan

Top right: Haime Maduro and Oliver Riding
Bottom: Tierra del Sol, Resort, Country Club & Spa Golf Course

Sarah-Quita Offringa makes windsurfing world history…

Getting the V.I.P. welcome she deserves, young Sarah Quita-Offringa, who just took the title as #1, the World Champion in Women’s Freestyle during the Professional Windsurfing Association’s Grand Slam World Tour 2008, arrived home from Spain last night, accompanied by her parents, Esther and Ruud, and brother Quincy.

Sarah-Quita, who has been competing professionally since she was twelve years old, found the V.I.P. lounge at the Reina Beatrix International Airport filled with friends and paparazzi as Ramon Lee, Minister of Culture, Labor and Sport personally welcomed this outstanding young athlete home. In appreciation for the great honor and pride she has brought to her home island, and the fine example she sets for other young people, he presented Sarah-Quita with a plaque on behalf of the Aruban people.

Since 2006, Sarah-Quita has been pursuing the world title, and at 15,  made the history books as the youngest woman to ever win first place in a world-class professional windsurfing competition when she took the trophy in Lanzarote, Spain. During two other matches in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, she came in second to reigning queen Daida Moreno of Spain, with similar results giving her the world-wide ranking of Sub Champion, and winning the title of “Rookie of the Year.”

However, not this year! “This year Sarah-Quita was determined to come out of the water the winner,” confided her mother Esther during the welcome party that awaited them at their home,” the last few years she couldn’t help being nice, that is how she is, but this year we decided “no mercy.” That determination has made Sarah-Quita’s place in history as the youngest woman ever to be world champion on the pro windsurfing circuit.

Ironically, Sarah-Quita and Esther nearly didn’t make it to the opening competitions in Landzarote, as Sarah had to complete her final exams at Colegio Aruban, but cooperative teachers and administrators allowed her to take her tests a day early, so they could speed off to Spain. If not, she and her parents were ready to dismiss the pursuit of the title. Sarah had no time to take any practice runs, or become accustomed to the conditions as the other competitors, as she and Esther landed in Landzarote the night before the tournament began, and it was off to the races and into the water the very next morning.

Sarah-Quita, relaxing at her home after her grand welcome, was sharing her adventure with friends with videos of her winning performance that can be seen at www.pwaworldtour.com. She expressed that conditions were “very difficult, a lot of wind and big waves,” and indeed, commentary reveals she battled over ten days of over 35 kph winds and increasing ground swells, but her spectacular performance won admiring commentary from European press. Sarah spent six weeks in Spain with her brother Quincy, who also competes, and Esther, with Ruud joining them for the last two.

Sarah-Quita established her hold on first place early in the tournament, but Daida Moreno was not ready to pass on the crown. “Unfortunately for Moreno… the subsequent brawl raised the bar of women’s freestyle to a whole new level. Both sailors went off, but the decisive blow would come when Offringa executed a massive air flaka. (Yolanda) De Brendt (who had beaten Moreno in her bid as first place contender-ed) had no reply to the epic move, granting Offringa the victory, and the first double elimination as hers,” reports the PWA.

Clinching her ranking as World Champion was a sweet victory and fitting birthday present for Sarah-Quita, as she and Esther quietly celebrated her turning 17 on July 4, the day she won the double eliminations at Gran Canaria, the second stop on the tour, and insuring her the crown. Arriving home in Aruba, her spectacular victory was celebrated by the entire windsurfing community that greeted her at the airport wearing tee shirts they had specially made for the occasion. Coinciding with her attaining the title, Sarah-Quita is featured on the cover of the August issue of Boards magazine, out of the United Kingdom. All this attention has not affected this sweet, unassuming young woman one bit, who, despite the possibilities, still puts her studies first.

Welcome home Sarah-Quita, World Champion!!

On Thursday morning November 15th, three possible winning crews sailed off Palm Beach for the final race of the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. After a long course with three sausages and two triangles, Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk (NED) took the bullet and the overall victory. Gunnar Larsen and Bastiaan Tentij (NED) managed to finish third just one spot ahead of Wouter Samama and Sam Frank (NED). Both teams are tied on points, but Larsen/Tentij became second overall on count back. Thomasch and Hankart (AUT) won in the small class of slower catamarans.

KLM Race 10 – ‘Safe sailing’ brings victory


“You will race on a course that has everything in it”, said organiser Edwin Lodder this morning at the briefing. He looked at the top teams and smiled: “Reaching, sausages and counting laps.” The wind was about force five, so cautious racing was important. After the starting gun, the fleet was smoking upwind. Grant Piggott (replacing William Sunnucks, who had to leave early) and Simon Farren were first at the windward mark. Zanen/Heemskerk were fourth, but on the run they overtook two boats. Piggott: “In the second beat, they went far into the right corner and passed us.” The British were close behind the Dutchmen, who extended their lead in every downwind. Zanen: “We sailed safely, which is easier if you are leading.” According to Heemskerk, they had a good preparation before the start and tried to stay calm: “We knew the pressure was on the top three teams. This morning, we said to each other that our event was already successful, so let’s enjoy this last race and sail smoothly. We won with a considerable lead.” That made them the winners of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2007. Zanen, who became second in 2005 on a Tornado: “It was good fun to sail the F18. It was the first time with such a strong battle and I have learned so much from boat to boat situations. Mischa is a great coach.”

Larsen and Tentij had a mission today. They wanted another colour than bronze. The boys rounded the upwind mark in third position and gained one spot on the run. Larsen: “Grant passed us in the second beat and we had two options: trying to overtake Mischa or covering Wouter. We picked the last one and finished third. We are happy with that result. We climbed to a second position overall” Samama and Frank had an unfortunate start, being rolled by somebody reaching lower. Samama: “That ruined our first beat, which was a pity. We could catch up on Gunnar, but it was not enough. Mischa and Eduard sailed a great race, so they are the true winners. But I am happy with a third place overall and it has been a fantastic racing week.” Heemskerk agreed: “I think everybody enjoyed the close competition and it was nice to watch the fleet interacting with each other. The atmosphere was perfect. It all gives sailing in the Caribbean the ultimate kick. Oolaalaa!”

Unbeaten to the top


This year’s class of slower catamarans (8 entries) was dominated by good old participant Manfred Thomasch from Austria and Henk Hankart from Aruba. They took all ten bullets with their Dart 18. Hankart: “The conditions were excellent, so we did enjoy the sailing. Last year, we had competition from more and very good Dart 18 teams. Without them around, it was easier to win these series.” Thomasch’s favourite race was yesterday’s long distance: “That was a classic one, just perfect.”


All hands are on right now, because the containers need to be packed. But after the work, the sailors are invited to the prize giving and party at Moomba Beach (offered by ATA). That will be the end of a


Top five fast catamarans after 10 races and two discards:

1. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Nacra Infusion, 17 points

2. NED – Larsen/Tentij, F18 Nacra Infusion, 20 points

3. NED - Samama/Frank, F18 Hobie Tiger, 20 points

4. NED – Pols/Veenstra, F18 Nacra Infusion, 29 points

5. GBR – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn, 35 points


Top three slower catamarans after 10 races and two discards:


1. AUT – Thomasch/Hankart, Dart 18, 8 points

2. ARU – Grijpma/Ren, Sil & Mark, Prindle 19, 19 points
3. ARU – Valize/Hoek, 32 points

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Absolute Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

Top two tied on points with one race to go

After a lay day, the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2007 continued with an eventful fourth day. Awesome racing, capsizes and collisions resulted in a very close battle for victory. Wouter Samama and Sam Frank (NED) came back with a bullet and third, which lifted them to the leading position after nine races. They are tied on points with Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk (NED), who had an OCS in the last race. Gunnar Larsen and Bastiaan Tentij (NED) dropped to the third place overall, despite their good recovery from capsizing at the beginning of the long distance race this morning. The spontaneous teamwork of several sailors on repairing a damaged hull showed the good atmosphere among the fleet. Due to these joined forces, James and Gillian Power could continue the regatta.

Zwitserleven long distance race 8 – Tricky racing

After organiser Edwin Lodder warned the sailors for ‘upcoming submarines’ and ‘low flying airplanes’, all 45 competing teams were ready for this year’s long distance race. They first had to sail a sausage, followed by a long reach to Hebo Beach where they headed further south to Barcadera Reef and Palm Island. After rounding the mark, they had to hoist the spinnaker for a tricky downwind run in the lagoon, followed by another extensive reach to Palm Beach and up and down a mark close to the light house. The wind was shifty and puffy, which made it hard sheeting for the crews. Gunnar Larsen and Bastiaan Tentij had a good start and were about third at the first mark, but they capsized on the run. Larsen: “We set up for a gibe, but I stuck the tiller extension in Bastiaan’s trapeze hook. At that moment we got a gust and I could not bear away, so we were lost.” The boys broke four battens, but continued racing.

Meanwhile Wouter Samama and Sam Frank rounded the bottom mark in third position, just behind Pols/Veenstra. Samama: “We saw William Sunnucks going low with lots of pressure, so we decided to steer low as well. Other boats around us stayed higher towards the island. After a while, William tacked away and we carried on. We were leading at one stage, but we tacked a little bit too early, so Xander Pols was first to enter the lagoon.” Both crews hoisted the spinnaker, but Samama/Frank managed to grab the lead. Samama: “We stayed as low as possible, in order to keep the pressure. Mischa and Xander run out of wind under the lee of the island and we got the puff first and kept it for about 300 meters. That is where we pulled away from them and we extended our lead on the reach.” They finished as first F18 behind the Tornado of Danielle and David Pitmann (GBR). Pitmann: “We had just enough margin with the rest of the group. On the reach back to the north, Danielle had to repair her trapeze, so I kept on asking her to please come out any time today.”

Just never give up

Larsen and Tentij took a huge risk to gain the most, by going over the reef on the run back to Hebo Beach. Larsen: “I definitely wanted to get to the front, so we pulled the dagger boards up and avoided the rocks.” By doing so, he overtook Stuart Gummer inside of the reef and finished fifth. James and Gillian Power got involved in a collision, which resulted in a big hole in the stern of their right hull. They started to dismantle the boat on the beach, because they thought it was over for this year. But Simon Farren, Mischa Heemskerk and Eduard Zanen joined forces and got out the repair box. Within 1,5 hour, the job was done and Heemskerk changed the name into ‘Clapricorn’. The crowd applauded and the British were back in the race.

Setar Race 9 – Downwind speed pays

After the starting gun of race 9, the flag for ‘individual recall’ was hoisted. Zanen and Heemskerk were early and tacked just before Gummer/Bogaards, who were early as well. A collision could not be avoided and Zanen/Heemskerk broke their spinnaker pole. Gummer returned to the line, but rounded the pin end at the wrong side. That destroyed his good recovery. He worked his way through the fleet to a fourth position, but that became an OCS due to the wrong start. The front runners showed some close racing again. Pols/Veenstra leaded them in three laps. Pols: “Gunnar was chasing us. We were a bit quicker upwind and he was faster downwind, but he gained more than we did. He got us in the third downwind. But I am very satisfied with our performance, since we are the heaviest team and the wind had dropped to force 3 to 4.”

Learning by doing

The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is not only a playground for cracks, but definitely also for less experienced sailors. A week of racing helps them improving their skills pretty quickly. Miriam Winterink, Vladimir Voute and Paul Stoetzer (all NED) teamed up on their Nacra Inter 18 and decided to enter the class for slower catamarans. Voute: “On Saturday we sailed off for the practise race and capsized within 5 minutes, so we chose the smaller class in order to learn faster. We race without spinnaker, but it is great to watch the big boys.” On their lay day, Menno Vercouteren gave them a private lesson. Winterink: “That was fantastic. We are practising now. Today, we finished second twice, so we are getting there.” Voute: “And we really enjoy ourselves.” The trio is in sixth position overall. Manfred Thomasch and Henk Hankart (AUT) still lead the small class of slower catamarans.

In the evening, competitors and their families will enjoy the food at the beach party of Holiday Inn. And tomorrow, there is one more race to decide who will be the 2007 winners.

Top five fast catamarans after 9 races and two discards:
1. NED - Samama/Frank, F18 Hobie Tiger, 16 points
2. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Nacra Infusion, 16 points
3. NED – Larsen/Tentij, F18 Nacra Infusion, 17 points
4. NED – Pols/Veenstra, F18 Nacra Infusion, 24 points
5. GBR – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn, 28 points

Top three slower catamarans after 9 races and two discards:
1. AUT – Thomasch/Hankart, Dart 18, 6 points
2. ARU – Grijpma/Ren, Sil & Mark, Prindle 19, 16 points
3. ARU – Valize/Hoek, 27 points

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Absolute Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

On Monday November 12th, Dutchmen Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk took over the lead of the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. Former leaders Wouter Samama and Sam Frank (NED) had a troublesome day with two capsizes and a nearly collision with a boat out of control. They dropped to the fourth position overall. Gunnar Larsen and Bastiaan Tentij (NED) climbed to a second overall, followed by Gummer/Bogaards (GBR). Manfred Thomasch en Henk Hankart (AUT) are still leading the fleet of slower cats. It was an exhausting and tough day for the 45 competing teams, as the wind gusted up to sometimes 25 knots. Two out of three races had a big reach. The sailors enjoyed the exciting competition and the Pelican Pier Party afterwards.

Coca Cola Race 5 – “Racing is similar to the F18 Europeans”

“It was windy”, was Gunnar Larsen’s first reaction back on the Palm Beach. “The level of racing is similar to the F18 Europeans. It is really close and tough.” Larsen and Tentij (NED) changed positions with James and Gillian Power (GBR) all the time. Power: “Xander Pols was actually leading at the first upwind mark, followed by Gunnar and us. I think it was the second downwind that Xander lost a bit. Mischa and Eduard caught up on us, but we were battling with Gunnar and Bastiaan.” On the last beat, the Power’s chose the right side of the course, whereas Gunnar and Mischa both went left. Power: “We had a favourable shift and got ahead of them. We saw pressure on the left and gibed after the hoist. As we got into it, the gust suddenly disappeared. Gunnar saw that and carried on to the right and won. It was so close. It could have been anyone’s race.” Gunnar Larsen explained his strategy: “We go for the edges, but we stay safe. We try not to push over the limit. We consolidated during the race and grabbed our chance on the last lap. But I have deeply respect for Gillian Power. She holds on in changing positions at 25 knots.”

Aruba Aloe Race 6 – Good counting makes a difference

Some black clouds and rain preceded the first race in the afternoon. The race committee decided it was time to train the reach, so the fleet sailed a triangle course with two sausages (one for the slower cats). That was a challenge with the strong gusts up to 20-25 knots, but the teams hang on surprisingly well. Zanen and Heemskerk were smoking, with Larsen and Tentij in their wake. Pols and Veenstra followed in third position. Wouter Samama: “We gained a spot in the gate and were just behind Xander. He was quicker upwind and we on the run.” The two front runners had a big lead, as they passed the finish line for another lap. They miscounted and so did Xander Pols, but he noticed it in time and quickly turned around. Samama and Frank took the bullet, followed by Stuart Gummer. Samama: “Finally we had some luck.” Mischa Heemskerk with a smile: “That was very kind of us, wasn’t it.”

Palm Tours Race 7 – “Awesome racing”

While rigging down the sails, Gunnar Larsen and Mischa Heemskerk joked about their last race. The two Nacra Infusions had a very close battle on the downwind run. Larsen to Heemskerk’s skipper Eduard Zanen: “In case you would have looked around, you would have seen our spinnaker pole.” They had a gibe duel, which was won by Zanen/Heemskerk. On the second downwind run, Stuart Gummer (GBR) caught up on Larsen/Tentij. Gummer: “I heard they were match racing with James and Gillian, which probably helped us.” After a good start, Gummer got tangled up by a Tornado just after rounding the first mark, but he managed to catch up on the run. Gummer: “Richard Allen was just before us on the reach and we overtook him. In the second beat, we tacked away to the left and gained on the front runners.” On the final reach and run, he chased Zanen/Heemskerk, who stayed ahead. Heemskerk: “We covered on Gummer on the last lap towards the finish and won. The competition is just great. You can not allow yourself any mistakes.” Zanen: “It is different from other years. It is such a competitive fleet.” Gummer was almost speechless: “It was an awesome last race.”

One happy family Grijpma

The small fleet of slower catamarans (8 entries) includes two boats crewed by the Grijpma family. The brothers Sil (10) and Rens (12) teamed up with their dad Rob on the Prindle 19. Their sister Frederique (16) crews for her mom Francis on a Dart 18. Sil, while waiting for the beach shower: “The reaching was very fast. We nearly nose dived a couple of times. I did not dare to go on the wire and my dad said we shouldn’t do that.” The ‘boys’ crew is in second position overall after seven races. Frederique had a hard day, as they capsized twice: “But I do like it very much. We never sailed together before this event and we are learning so fast now.” At the moment, the ‘girls’ team is fourth overall.

Top five fast catamarans after 7 races and one discard:
1. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Nacra Infusion, 14 points
2. NED – Larsen/Tentij, F18 Nacra Infusion, 17 points
3. GBR/NED – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn, 22 points
4. NED - Samama/Frank, F18 Hobie Tiger, 22.7 points
5. NED – Pols/Veenstra, F18 Nacra Infusion, 36 points

Top three small cats after 7 races and one discard:
1. AUT – Thomasch/Hankart, Dart 18, 6 points
2. ARU – Grijpma/Ren, Sil & Mark, Prindle 19, 13 points
3. ARU – Valize/Hoek, Prindle 16, 24 points

Tuesday November 13th will be a lay day for the competitors, who will have the time to recover from the spectecular sailing and to enjoy the island of Aruba.

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Aruba Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

Despite their unlucky start of the second day, Dutchmen Wouter Samama and Sam Frank still lead the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. They were forced to tack only a few seconds before the signal, although they were on starboard tack, and got stuck in the anchor line of the starting vessel. The jury gave them redress for the missed race. They took revenge by finishing second in the afternoon. It was again a tough day out on the water, resulting in many capsizes. The island’s sail maker will work overtime tonight. But the 45 competing teams had a challenging day with spectacular catamaran sailing on the Caribbean Sea. The offshore trade wind of about force 5 tired them out, but the Heineken beer made all good.

Young Improvement Race 3 – Larsen/Tentij slip through

Today’s first race was a wild and long one (5 laps for fast cats and 4 for slower cats), which resulted in many capsizes around the course. The action was full on. It already started on the starting line, where team Noordzij/Alards parked their Capricorn right on top of Zanen/Heemskerk and Samama/Frank. Jury Hans Kieft (NED) explained the rest of the story: “It all happened a few seconds before the signal. Ad Noordzij thought he was early and tacked. Mischa had to do the same in order to stay free. Wouter Samama was on starboard tack next to the starting vessel and had no choice, but tacking with the other two. He got stuck in the anchor line and jumped on the starting vessel to free his boat. Their rudders were tied.” Crew Sam Frank sailed away and capsized. Kieft: “Ad got disqualified and Wouter received a redress.”

Meanwhile, the front runners widened the gap with the rest of the fleet. Xander Pols and Tjiddo Veenstra had a big lead, but 2005 winner Stuart Gummer (GBR) came closer and closer. Gummer, sailing a F18 Capricorn: “We had a clean start and settled. On the first downwind, we gibed at the right time and did not over stand the mark. That is where James Power for example capsized and Xander lost some of his lead. At the third gate, we were not sure how many laps we had to do, so we took the left buoy and headed for the finish line. That is where we gained the most. We went the first bit to the right, which was the side to be at that moment. Then we tacked to the left and gained on the boats left from us.” Pols and Veenstra were still leading in the last downwind. Both Pols and Gummer went to the right, whereas Larsen/Tentij tried their luck at the left. Tentij: “Gunnar saw a shift with more pressure on the left side.” Gummer overtook Pols, but Larsen slipped through in the gate and took the bullet. He won despite the 360 penalty he had to take, because of a small collision with Gummer at a mark rounding. Pols finished third: “Gunnar is the smiling third person. He had to do something, but for us it is a bit frustrating.” Father Rob and son Michel van Zandvoort enjoyed the strong wind very much and steered their Topcat 18 K1 to victory in the slower class.

Heineken Race 4 – Hard work and right side pay

After lunch, the wind had dropped only a little bit, so the gusts could still be challenging. The teams that started at the pin end side of the line, got it right. Larsen and Tentij rounded the upwind mark in first position, but lost ground in the second beat. The wind had shifted and this time it paid to go to the right. Gummer took the lead, after coming back from maybe an eighth position. He went far to the right, got the shift and sneaked to the front. Zanen and Heemskerk were in his wake for another lap. In the next upwind, they went further right than Gummer and took the lead and extended it on the last downwind run. Eduard Zanen: “We had an average start and it was hard work for Mischa. It is difficult to find my shape again. I don’t sail enough, but here I am learning every day. Hopefully I will soon make less mistakes to relieve Mischa.” On the last downwind, Samama and Frank pushed hard and Gummer played the game, but the Dutchmen got him just before the spinnaker drop. Manfred Thomasch and Henk Hankart took their third bullet in the slower class.

Colgate wins the VIP-Race

“It was awesome”, said Monique Bouwer, this year’s winner of the VIP-race. She crewed for Mischa Heemskerk. Bouwer: “When I jumped on the trampoline, I told him I already had two drinks. He said he wanted to win the race, so I promised him to do my best. First he explained everything and it was all very relaxed. During the race, we even grabbed a beer from a spectator boat.” Julia Renfro from Aruba Today also had a big smile on her face. She helmed on a Nacra Infusion with crew Simon Farren. Renfro hardly had enough words to express her enthusiasm: “I had the time of my life. I think it was my first time on a F18, but it was excellent. It is a really nice boat. We had a good start and Simon did a fantastic job. I was just steering.” They finished second.

Top five fast catamarans after 4 races:
1. NED - Samama/Frank, F18 Hobie Tiger, 9,3 points
2. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Nacra Infusion, 10 points
3. NED – Larsen/Tentij, F18 Nacra Infusion, 13 points
4. GBR – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn, 22 points
5. NED – Pols/Veenstra, F18 Nacra Infusion, 23 points

Top three small cats after 4 races:
1. AUT – Thomasch/Hankart, Dart 18, 5 points
2. NED – Van Zandvoort/Van Zandvoort, Topcat 18 K1, 11 points
3. NED – Grijpma/Grijpma/Ren, Sil & Mark, Prindle 19, 12 points

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Aruba Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

The first day of the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta showed tough racing. Not only in terms of sailing conditions, but the competition was also full on. The shifty and gusty wind challenged the 45 competing teams, representing five countries. The Dutchmen Wouter Samama and Sam Frank, sailing a F18 Hobie Tiger, lead the fleet. They are tied on points with their fellow countrymen Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk on a F18 Nacra Infusion. Gunnar Larsen and Bastiaan Tentij are in third position, also tied on points with James and Gillian Power (GBR).

This morning, the sailors were welcomed by a strong trade wind force five. That was exactly what most competitors were hoping for. They enjoyed the tropical conditions and participated in the practise race. Others decided to save their equipment and body. They stayed ashore, which was maybe not a bad idea, as the first damages were a fact. After a lunch break, the official regatta started off with the first race. Meanwhile, the unstable wind had dropped to force three/four.

ArubaColgate Race 1 – Zanen/Heemskerk take first bullet

Although Richard Allen (GBR) has not sailed a catamaran since last year’s Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta, he and his crew Ellen Foreshaw smoked off the starting line. They were in the lead most of the race. Foreshaw: “We tried to cover, but people went both sides.” Their F18 Capricorn was chased by Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk (NED). Allen: “In the last beat Mischa went hard left and we stayed in the middle to cover. At the windward mark, we were neck and neck, but they are quicker on the downwind run.” Allen and Foreshaw finished third. “We are really pleased with that result”, said Allen satisfied. Mischa Heemskerk, current F18 European Champion, climbed from the third to the leading position: “We played the shifts and gusts very well. You must keep your eyes open constantly, in order to stay in the wind paths.” Zanen and Heemskerk took this year’s first bullet, followed by Xander Pols and Tjiddo Veenstra, sailing a F18 Nacra Infusion.

Absolute Real Estate Race 2 – Samama/Frank win in shifty conditions

The second race showed a new leader for a while. 2001 winner Williams Sunnucks and his crew Simon Farren pushed their Nacra Infusion hard. A knot holding the trapeze hook stopped them, as Farren fell off the boat in the second beat. That made them dropping back to a fifth position. Sunnucks: “We had bad luck, but our speed is good.” It was hard to get the tactics right, as the wind was so unstable. The gains and losses were big and the teams struggled to find the right side of the course. Mischa Heemskerk: “We had a difficult start and tacked away. Then we had a brilliant shift to the left, so we sailed straight to the mark, but unfortunately the wind dropped. The group left from us kept the pressure and we were eighth at the windward mark. In the last beat we should have sailed 40 meters further, which Wouter Samama did. He stayed in the pressure, whereas we had to battle with others around us. I think we finished fourth.”

Wouter Samama and Sam Frank took the lead and the bullet. The last two years, Frank crewed for Rob Sprij on the Hobie 16 with spinnaker. They became fifth at the ISAF Youth Worlds 2007, but they split up after the season. Frank decided to team with Samama. Frank about today’s racing: “The amount of shifts was just crazy. We battled with Gunnar Larsen, but we got him on the last beat. Although I must make more hours on this cat, I really enjoy it. Especially in this sailors' heaven.” The Dutchmen Larsen/Tentij finished second, followed by the British Power/Power.

In the fleet with a handicap higher than 105 (8 entries), Manfred Thomasch (AUT) won both races.

There are two races scheduled for Sunday November 11. Ten boats will carry a tracking & tracing device, which will enable to display their positions on a big screen on the beach and on http://www.arubaregatta.com/. The website also offers daily video reports and images.

Top five fast catamarans after 2 races:
1. NED - Samama/Frank, F18 Hobie Tiger, 5 points
2. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Nacra Infusion, 5 points
3. NED – Larsen/Tentij, F18 Nacra Infusion, 8 points
4. GBR – Power/Power, F18 Capricorn, 8 points
5. GBR – Allen/Foreshaw, F18 Capricorn, 9 points

Top three small cats after 2 races:
1. AUT – Thomasch, Dart 18, 2 points
2. NED – Van Zandvoort/Van Zandvoort, Topcat 18 K1, 6 points
3. NED – Van Baaren/Grijpma, Dart 18, 7 points

In addition to main sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Aruba Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

The 44 catamarans are built up, the trade wind is blowing, the first pitch poles are a fact and the sailors are on fire. It is time for the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. Despite Friday’s news about the Tornado losing her Olympic status, the competitors enjoyed the fantastic sailing conditions on two hulls off the island of Aruba. The smiles on their faces weren’t washed off. They received a warm welcome by the ATA at the annual opening party in the garden of Holiday Inn. After a delicious dinner the local music and dancers stole the show.

Saturday’s program will start with a practise race, followed by a lunch offered by Colgate and the first two official races. This year’s fleet shows again great strength with F18 European Champion Mischa Heemskerk (NED), 2005 winner Stuart Gummer (GBR), runner up for many times Richard Allen (GBR), 2001 winner William Sunnucks (GBR), two times winner Xander Pols (NED), 2003 winner Gunnar Larsen (NED), record holder Round Texel Wouter Samama (NED) and former winner John Moret (NED). Although the winners of 2006, Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis (NED), are not present, the competition will be tough. The top ten of the overall standing will race with a tracking and tracing device of Setar. Their positions will be displayed on a big screen on the beach and on the internet, which makes the battle for victory more interesting for people onshore.

Special edition stamps

The regatta has become a tradition, which is rewarded with a special edition stamps, proudly presented by Post Aruba. The catamarans of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta decorate stamps of four different values. These collector’s items are available at the post office.

The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta starts off today and will finish on Thursday November 15 after ten exciting races. The VIP-race will be held on Sunday November 11th and Tuesday November 13th is lay day.

For more information, video, tracing and tracking, photographs and reports, please surf to www.arubaregatta.com

In addition to title sponsors Heineken and the Aruba Tourism Authority, the 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta is also sponsored by Hapag Lloyd, TNG Swiss Watches, KLM, Holiday Inn, Does & Cadushi, Yamaha, Patria, Young Improvement, Magic Marine, Coca Cola, AWA, Anthony Veder & Co, Aruba Watersports Center, Colgate, Palm Tours, Pelican Watersports, Seaworld Explorer, Aruba Real Estate and Aruba Aloe.

Aruba’s International Catamaran Regatta Welcomes Sailors, Spectators from Around the World to Drop Anchor in Tropical Paradise

Oranjestad, Aruba – October 22, 2007 – Hoist the mainsail and set a course for paradise! The 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta, November 9-17, 2007, invites sailors from across the globe to experience the thrill of sailing through some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Aruba’s turquoise seas and hearty trade winds make ideal sailing conditions for both experienced yachtsmen and recreational captains. Ten separate races will embark from beautiful Palm Beach, treating those on shore to a spectacular visual of colorful sails dotting the Caribbean horizon and darting across the Aruban landscape. Approximately 50 teams from the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Aruba will take the helm at this exhilarating and competitive event.

The regatta isn’t only for salty dogs; landlubbers too can enjoy the races from Aruba’s pristine, white beaches or explore the island’s many natural attractions, like the natural pool and Arikok National Park. Non-sailors are also invited to get a little closer to the action and share the excitement on one of the regatta’s special spectator boats. For those looking to find their sea legs while on Aruba, there are many recreational sailboats and sailboat cruises available to help visitors learn the ropes and express their seafaring side.

Regatta participants will drop anchor at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Aruba during their stay and will enjoy team lunches, nightly events, and an awards ceremony following the last race. Spectators can choose from the many dining and entertainment options on the island, as well as accommodations at some of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean. This year’s Regatta promises to be more exciting than ever, as sailors man the rigging and prepare to tackle the open ocean in a fight to the finish.

For more information on the 17th Annual Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta, please visit www.arubaregatta.com