Sunnucks/Farren Climb Into Third Position On Fifth Day

William Sunnucks and Simon Farren (GBR) climbed into third position overall on the fifth day of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. Two out of three scheduled races were sailed, as a heavy tropical rain shower came with poor visibility in the morning. Once it cleared up, the wind increased to 14-18 knots and the fleet enjoyed the stronger conditions. Dutchmen Booth/Nieuwenhuis took again two bullets and are already unbeatable for the overall victory. Mischa Heemskerk and Eduard Zanen (NED) scored an early start (OCS) and second. They remain in second position on the leader board with one more race to go.

Martinair Race – OCS & Miscounting legs
“We do win, but we definitely have to work hard for it”, said Pim Nieuwenhuis after six bullets out of nine. “We started badly in the last race and had to work ourselves through the fleet. There are enough options on the course, which is good. It is a percentage game. If you make less mistakes than the others, you will come first.” They do dominate the competition, but Nieuwenhuis still likes the battle: “There are some good teams and every time there is another one fighting for the lead, like John Casey (USA) and Jorden Veenman (NED) in the second heat.” Casey and Veenman were in the lead for three laps and finished third, but back on the beach they found out about their OCS. Xander Pols and Frank de Waard (NED) miscounted the number of legs and carried on for a sixth one, which cost them their third podium position.

Eventful starts for Heemskerk/Zanen
Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk commenced with an OCS and blew the next start. Zanen: “We hit the pin-end and had to take a penalty. We were forced to continue on port-tack and were eleventh at the top mark. By gibing and tacking in the pressure, we were able to come back in the leading pack.” The last year’s winners finished second. Zanen: “The top is broader this time. There are at least six teams interfering in the battle for podium places.”

Honored by ATA
On Wednesday evening, the Aruba Tourism Authority honored Willie van der Heijden (NED) for coming to the island for the tenth time in row. Van der Heijden: “The atmosphere is still great and I enjoy the sailing here. The Aruba Regatta is very well organized, which makes me coming back every year.” Van der Heijden and his crew Arthur Moerman are racing a Nacra 20, but in 2009 they will return with a F18. Van der Heijden: “Let’s see how that goes.” Leo Ambtman (NED) already received the award, officially presented by the ATA. He only missed three editions of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta out of eighteen. Ambtman: “I was there at the first Aruba Regatta ever. Over the years, the concept stayed the same. It is about racing in paradise, but the level has improved. I never have enough of this event.”

Almost 6,000 euro for Right to Play
“The lottery raised 1,400 euro and the auction about 1,500 euro”, said Vladimir Voute (NED) proudly. He and his colleague Meriam Winterink organizes the fund-raising event within four weeks. “It is heartwarming how everybody offered prizes. Our employer Atos Origin will double this amount, so that will make it 5,975 euro. We are very happy with this result.” According to the initiators, most tickets were sold during happy hour. “Meanwhile, we showed a special video message of silver medalist Annemieke Bes.” The action was associated with an imaginary case, called ‘Passion for Kassy’. Kassy represents a boy in Sudan, who wants to play and practice sports with his boyfriends. “The money goes to his village.”

Top five <105 fleet (35 entries) after nine races and two discards:
1. NED – Booth/Nieuwenhuis, F18 Hobie Tiger, 8 points
2. NED – Zanen/Heemskerk, F18 Hobie Tiger, 16 points
3. GBR – Sunnucks/Farren, F18 Nacra Infusion 23 points
4. NED – Pols/De Waard, F18 Nacra Infusion, 24 points
5. GBR – Gummer/Bogaards, F18 Capricorn, 32 points

Top three >105 fleet (6 entries) after nine races and two discards:
1. ARU – Van der Velden/Van der Velden, Dart 18, 9 points
2. AUT – Thomasch/Westera, Dart 18, 13 points
3. ARU – Grijpma/Hankart, Dart 18, 15 points

The Aruba Catamaran Regatta is sponsored by Heineken, Aruba (ATA), 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.