Code Zero: Approved and stamped!
On Monday, August-11 the revolutionary Tornado-sailing of Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis (NED) was finally approved for the Olympic Games.
That means that the Dutch upwind gennaker may be used during the Olympic regatta in Qingdao.
In doing so, Booth and Nieuwenhuis have an advantage up to 11 knots of wind, especially upwind.
“It can go on”, said Pim Nieuwenhuis after returning from a training session with the US team.
We have the stamps, so the gennaker is now officially approved by the officials.
Booth adds: I now bike from the boat park, where the Argentinians are also working with such a sail.
Espinola and Lange won bronze in Athens and are formidable opponents.
They work with North Sails, which has also designed the sail for the Italians and British teams.
The Italians are already measured, but the Argentinians have not.
Who knows, maybe there will be more upwind gennakers. These are interesting Games.
Booth is not afraid of this latest development: They are very late, so I wish them a lot of luck.
Diana Bogaards | 11-08-08