FLYING DUTCHMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2012
Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, California, USA
23 – 30 September 2012
Day 2 – Opening Ceremony
After the 47 teams from 11 Nations had completed the registration and regatta inspection process an attempt was made to sail a second practice race. The sun shone and there was a big swell along the Santa Cruz coastline to delight the surfers…the wind was absent..the start was postponed, boats were released to leave the harbour and sailed about the bay in about 4 knots of wind. At 1400hrs the Race officer abandoned racing for the day…the boats returned to the harbour.
Meanwhile preparations were being made for the opening ceremony in the marquee that had been used for the Regatta inspection of boats, sails, foils and equipment.
National flags were draped on the marquee walls, a screen displayed photos from the first practice race and the day’s sailing.
Tim Sayles, President of the US FD Class Association, welcomed competitors, race committee, Jury members and the many volunteers who were assisting with the Championship.
Charlie Roskosz, Regatta Chairman, welcomed everybody and introduced the Vice Commodore, Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Rob Schuyler, who was representing the Commodore of the club who is seriously ill.
Santa Cruz had suffered serious destruction from a tsunami in March 2011 and tribute was paid to the Harbour authorities who had managed to repair the harbour in time for the event to go ahead.
The Principal Race Officer Beau Vrolyk mentioned that over 70 volunteers from the Club were assisting in the running of the event – in addition to the many volunteers from the FD Class. Beau mentioned that they had run the FD US Nationals and the FD North American Championships earlier in the year. He stressed that the event was for the sailors and he would like to hear from them during the event.
Steve Bourdow, a former FD sailor who won a silver medal with Paul Foerster (USA) in the FDs last Olympics in 1992 at Barcelona, welcomed everybody as a new Santa Cruz Yacht Club member and expressed his great love of the FD Class.
Alberto Barenghi (President IFDCO) welcomed everybody and hoped they would have an enjoyable Championship.
After the Championship was declared open, all present enjoyed the drink and feast provided.
The first race of the nine race Championship is scheduled to start 1200hrs on Tuesday 25 September. For more information see www.fdworlds2012.org photos are at www.facebook.com/ifdco