The opening ceremony commences at 1800hrs.
Category: WC2012
Day 1 report
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
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Practice race 2 – start postponed….race abandoned
The 2nd practice race, scheduled to start at 1300hrs has been postponed due to lack of wind! Boats were released to sail out of the harbour. The wind did not increase beyond 4knots across the course so racing for the day was abandoned at 1400hrs.
Containers have arrived from around the world for Worlds 2012
The containers have arrived from Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
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Frank Nooijen did a great job coordinating 4 containers from Europe to transport boats from Holland, Germany, Italy, Hungary and Romania. Edward Cox coordinated the container from Australia and Dave Gibbs from New Zealand sorted out the Kiwi’s.
We all used same agent, Sea Shipping in Oakland to clear Customs which went relative painless, only a few containers were taken out for intense exam by CBP, Customs & Border Patrol and had to go through X-Ray before they could be delivered. We had Kiwi Transport in the marina, standby for off loading on arrival, which all happened within a few hours.
From Santa Cruz Yacht Club we had our two most reliable supports, Steve and Charlie, who both have done an outstanding job of getting the containers gated in per direction from the Harbor Authorities, and we are very pleased that all containers have arrived timely and safe. We can go sailing!
Preliminary Sailing Instructions
Sailing Instructions for the 2012 World Championships have been posted. They can be found under the “Official” tab on the event site, www.fdworlds2012.org. Please note that these are Preliminary Sailing Instructions. Official SIs will be distributed at Registration and notice of changes will be posted on the regatta bulletin board. We will attempt to make the most recent changes available on the event site, but the bulletin board will have the official version.
WC2012 Regatta Insurance
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Flying Dutchman sailors are eligible for the One-Design Insurance Program provided by the Gowrie Group. This program is endorsed by US Sailing and insures more one-design boats than any other insurance program. With the 2012 World Championship just around the corner, those who have not secured required coverage for the event can arrange for a policy by contacting the Gowrie Group
This PDF clearly explains how sailors can get the required insurance in place before the regatta. In addition to the standard 12 month annual policy Gowrie also offer single event insurance policies to accommodate Non-US residents and those chartering boats.
Please do not delay! If you have issues finding coverage in the Untied States for the event, you still have time to have it in place.
Welcome to Santa Cruz
The Flying Dutchman Association of the United States, in conjunction with the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, is pleased to announce and host the 2012 Flying Dutchman World Championships in the open ocean waters off Santa Cruz, California – 23 to 30 September 2012.
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Santa Cruz is one of the finest sailing and recreational venues available anywhere. The experience of the SCYC in hosting outstanding national and world-level events with its informal, friendly and dedicated club members is recognized widely in the Northern California sailing community and by many competitive sailors worldwide.
The seas off Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz are blessed with daily, westerly winds of 15 to 20 knots and impressive, wind-driven swells that can drive the Flying Dutchman to speeds only dreamed about by bay and lake sailors. It is not uncommon to plane to weather accompanied by leaping harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins and occasional whales. At day’s end exhilarated racers can enjoy the warmth and beauty of the small harbor as they discuss starts, crazy mark rounding and other race highlights.
Family and friends can choose to watch the racing, or they can partake of the area’s many recreational possibilities, including shopping, hiking in the redwoods, swimming or relaxing at the beach, surfing, or even enjoying the thrill of riding a vintage wooden roller coaster at the historic Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.
The event is being organized by experienced Flying Dutchman sailors, business leaders, staff members and club volunteers, all of whom are dedicated to making this championship event one that will be remembered for years to come.
International Class Contacts
Prior to the event please register your interest on the event website and/or contact Richard Phillips at richard@esailor.co.uk
International FD Class Issues
Event Organisation
- Jan Lechler at janlechler@web.de – IFDCO VP Championships
Technical/Measurement Matters
- Peter Hinrichsen at hinrichsen@videotron.ca – IFDCO VP Technical
- John Best at john.l.best@btconnect.com – FD Chief Measurer
- Paul Hemker at phemker@embarqmail.com – FD Chief Measurer
FD Website/IFDCO Communications
- Ronald Stalman at area08.rst@me.com – IFDCO VP Communications
FD Meetings/Administration
- Alberto Barenghi at fd.ita-7@albertobarenghi.com – IFDCO President
- Peter Doran at Peter_Doran@btinternet.com – IFDCO General Secretary
FD Worlds 2012 – Venue
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club (SCYC) is located above the Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, California, USA.
The location and directions can be seen on-line with Google Maps by entering: Santa Cruz Yacht Club, Santa Cruz, California. The Yacht club is shown as mark. Parking is provided in the lot shown to the right and below the mark. No parking is allowed without a permit issued by the Harbor Master and no parking is permitted other than in designated spaces.
Shipping to Santa Cruz
The Event Organisers will work with a few global container carriers to obtain the most suitable solutions, Customs broker and domestic forwarder to mitigate transportation cost.
We will work with a global based freight forwarder with offices in all critical locations to facilitate receiving, loading and shipping.