F18 Worlds 2009: Training for the real thing

Photo: Cruz Smith – Caroljin Holmatro-Magic Marine trailer behind

Photos: Cruz Smith – Cruz testing his rented Infusion in North Sea waters and Ian taking care of the goods.

Photo: Cruz Smith – Sapph banner
Mischa won today the North Sea F18 Regatta organized by the RBSC, the club is organizing this 2009 Worlds, and they´ll have a tough task organizing the biggest event so far for the F18 since the 1st worlds in 2000. The Royal Belgian Sailing Club already made a nice job with registration over demand.
180 crews are ready to race, and some of them were present this weekend at the RSBC beach location .

This year Argentina will have two crews, Cruz Smith-Ian Rodger (2nd Worlds after Nigran) and Mariano Heuser-Juan Faustin. I’ll be receiving pics and reports from them these weeks.
Yesterday Cruz and Ian manage a 13th and a 20th over 80 boats, not bad and a good sign of their level taking account that several pros were present. They only have one year racing F18 at home.

Above some pictures of the F18 “parking zone” at Belguim.

Top 3 Re sults for North Sea F18 Regatta at RBSC:
1. Heemskerk/Tentij (Hobie Wild Cat)
1-(BFD)-6-4-1-4-5: 21
2. De Koning/Visser (Nacra Infusion)
10-(BFD)-2-8-5-1-3: 29
3. Morvan/Vandame (Shockwave F18)
18-1-1-2-(19)-10-4: 36

Photo: Mischa in a preview of things to come.
So my final bets are:
Hugh Styles- Van West(Infusion) – Mischa Heemskerk-Tentji (Wildcat)
Dark Horse: Wilson-Lynch (Shockwave)
FULL RESULTS at RBSC site.

Prizegiving pic: