Yesterday the Henri Lloyd J22 Worlds The Hague came to an end. Only 1 missed race on the last day because of light winds on saturday morning. A beautiful series and a happy champion.

Nic Bol and his crew Dennis Goethart, Janneke Hin en Marije Kampen of the Quantum Racing team had a great series. Thier story about the last race day:

After four days of excellent racing, close competition and no single race behind schedule, Saturday morning turned out to be different. With two more races to go, the starting vessel kept us in de harbour after reporting zero knots of wind at the Northsea. When the first breeze appeared, the fleet was towed out the harbour and the committee began the starting sequence for race 13 as soon as possible. For us, leading number two in the fleet by only three points, the nerves began to grow. Starting in these light conditions was for sure the least wanted option. No way we could control anyone in the race, we just had to sail our own and be positive we would end it well. With the wind dying within ten minutes before the start, the race committee called the race off to wait for better wind. And it came. About 8-9 knots of breeze helped us through the last and decisive race of the Henri Lloyd J22 Worlds 2010. Ever since we were black flagged on the first day of the championships, we held back on the starting line avoiding any risk. But today, with our opponents so close behind us, we had to do a little bit more. Our margin was a top 13 finish and no more than two places behind the team of Eelco Blok, who was currently ranked 2nd. We decided to put pressure on his team and start close to him so we would start the race in the same area. The teams of John den Engelsman (3rd) and Ronald Veraar (4th), as well as Eelco's team all chose the left side of the starting line. With the current coming from the right, we stayed above the others and we could see in the race how rich the right people got and how poor the boats on the left. This was also due to a shift to the right. We stayed sort of in the middle, stealing the goodies from the right but for sure stay in close contact to the left side of the course where our opponents were. At the top mark we were placed 13th with only the team of John den Engelsman three boats ahead of us. We were in control of the title, though on the very edge. We started focussing more on our own race and gained little by little. We came in 8th at the second top mark and we only had a reach towards the finish line ahead of us because of the strong current coming form the side. YES! YES! YES! We started breathing again and immediately after the finish Nic jumped overboard, celebrating his long wished J22 world title. Looking back, we had a terrific week of sailing with 13 beautiful races. We would like to thank the race committee, the J22 organization and J22 class for their perfect job. As for us, we have enjoyed the races very much. They were both exciting and challenging due to ever changing conditions and a great competitors fleet. Last but nog least, congratulations to the team of Michel Miltenburg who won the final race.

NED 1364 Quantum Racing Holland
Nic Bol, Dennis Goethals, Marije Kampen and Janneke Hin

Everybody will be exhausted. The sun shines and the washingmachine will do his job, a good day to rest and daydream about the great event we had last week. Good luck in the office and classrooms agian this week.

Hope to see you all next time.

Results:

For some nice pictures:  www.gallery.me.com/devenster and http://www.j22.nl/fotos/index.php 

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