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As of 2009, the Round Texel Race is to be continued as Zwitserleven Sailing Week. This high-performance event unites spectacular activities that rise the adrenalin. For decades the main focus was on the Round Texel Race itself, whereas the new program becomes more extensive, challenging and longer. Not only for the competitive and recreational sailors, but also for the audience. The first considerable addition is the 2009 World Championship Windsurfing Slalom that will attract world's best windsurfers.
From June 8 until June 13, the Texel beach at Paal 17 will be the center of everything that sails on the sea, beach and through the surf at high speed. The Dutch Championship Catamaran sailing has expanded to three full (instead of half) racing days and the ultimate Round Texel Race on June 13. After the last finish on the first three days, the participants are welcome to compete in the TNG Short Track Races. The exciting finals will be held on Friday. There is also more to do for fun seekers, as the Light House Race to the northern point of Texel will be added to the traditional Horstocht to the south.
In 2009, Team Holmatro (NED) lines up for the iShares Cup as well as for the F18 circuit. This combination should provide skipper Carolijn Brouwer (BEL) with the necessary sharpness and skills to keep up with world's best Extreme 40 sailors in the iShares Cup. Brouwer made her début as Holmatro skipper in 2007. In the Olympic year of 2008, she focused completely on her Tornado campaign. She will now return to the Extreme 40 class with Holmatro as true partner. The F18 replaces the Tornado for her valuable 'dinghy experience'.
It is from the very first day of the Extreme 40 (2005) that the Dutch company Holmatro got involved in this spectacular, high-tech class. CEO Jaap Meijer (NED) about the long term partnership: "The boat and teamwork of the crew symbolize our key values, they represent 'Mastering Power'. The professional and high level skills of the team fit our business ambition of achieving the best. In addition, our hydraulic cylinders and winches onboard show how sailors can manage the forces by using our products. We are constantly trying to collect more knowledge about our products and more feedback from the users on that top level. That enables us to grow."
On the second day of the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2008, the fleet of 41 teams had to deal with tricky sailing conditions on the Caribbean Sea. From time to time, big clouds brought rain showers and gusts. That resulted in a shifty and variable breeze, which made it an interesting competition. Dutchmen Booth and Nieuwenhuis are still in the lead by one point, with Xander Pols and Frank de Waard (NED) in second position. Last year’s winners Eduard Zanen and Mischa Heemskerk (NED) climbed to a third place. Henk-Johan Hankart and the Grijpma brothers are first overall in the fleet of slower catamarans.
Today’s weather required a lot more trimming and smart racing. The winning strategy was about getting the shifts and pressure right. Sunburned legs and arms had a rest, as it was mostly clouded. The morning breeze was about 8 knots strong, but in the afternoon it picked up to 16 knots and more. During lunchtime on the Aruba beach, the competitors could share their experiences and reconsider their tactics. Or simply enjoy the Aruba hospitality. Late afternoon, they decided to have their happy hour in sea, as the rain was pouring down in a tropical shower.