FLYING DUTCHMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2012;
Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, California, USA
23 – 30 September 2012 Day 1 – Regatta Inspection and Practice Race
Many FDs arrived earlier in the week by container from Australia, Europe & New Zealand, others arrived by car from various remote parts of North America after driving many days to reach Santa Cruz.
The Regatta Inspection team had made good progress checking the FDs, sails, spars & equipment of those that had arrived early and so by the end of the first day most of the FDs had been inspected by the hard working team. Meanwhile the reception team handed out T-Shirts, Harken folders and paper work for the event.
After a foggy start to the day, the sun tried hard to break through; the light winds increased to the 8 to 12 knot winds for the practice race which started after a postponement and a general recall. Over 30 FDs joined in the practice race and others came out into the race area after completing their regatta inspection. The course was a traditional triangle, sausage finishing upwind of the first mark.
Lin Robson & Adriaan Schmal (USA 36) gained an early lead in Lin’s new Mader. At the first leeward mark they were followed by Killian Koenig & Johannes Brack (GER 113). The current World and European Champions – Szabolcs Majthenyi & Andras Domokos (HUN 70), Nicola & Francesco Vespasiani (ITA 4) and Enno Krammer & Ard Geelkerken (NED 26) were chasing close behind.
Some say that winning the practice race is unlucky, so we shall see if Nicola & Francesco Vespasiani (ITA 4) who crossed the finishing line first can maintain their form! The second practice race is scheduled for 1300hrs on Monday 24 September. This will be followed by the Opening Ceremony. For more information see www.fdworlds2012.org photos are at www.facebook.com/ifdco
