F16 Europeans 2018 @Hellecat: Practice Race

Report sen by Gill de Bruyne / F16 Class Assoc – 

Fq6 Europeans Practice Race

Sunday was the first day of the F16 Europeans, that are held this year in Hellecat, The Netherlands. This club has hosted the Dutch F16 Nationals in the last years and also does the famous Round Tiengemeten long distance race.

Many of the teams arrived Saturday so 33 of the 37 boats were on the starting line for the practice race.

In a 10 knots breeze going down to about 8 a 2 lap race was held with Dutch precision.

Some of the usual suspects to perform well were already showing up in the top 10. The race was won by Thomas Proust (11 years old – 2nd last year), but also Emmanuel Le Chapelier, Robin Mineur and Andi Lutz were up there.

Biggest solo fleet ever with 8 boats on 4 different designs (Bimare, Falcon, Nacra, Viper), with some of the Vipers equipped with a decksweeper, it will be good to see the difference.

Great spread of ages again as well with the youngest being 11 (Thomas Proust) and the Youngest team 15/16 years old (Lucas Claeyssens/Anne (facebook.com/ALSailingTeam/?ref=br_rs), normally sailing a Nacra 15). On the oldest spectrum age goes above 70.

As always we have many mixed teams, all female teams and all male teams.

I’m sure it is going to be a great week as the social programme is also nicely filled from the Dutch organization.

Expect more updates during the week!

Gill

F16 PR

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