ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta 08 attracts OD classes

by Event Media Release on 26 Feb 2008 The ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta 2008 (Netherlands) attracts more and more one design classes. In the last couple of months, interested class organisations received an invitation for participation. As a result so far, the Olympic Star and former Olympic Dragon were added to the sailing program.

The Scheveningen regatta includes 26 racing disciplines in total. Yachts will compete under IRC and ORC, but double scoring is no longer possible. The event starts with the 110-nautical miles offshore race from Scheveningen to Harwich (Vuurschepenrace) on April 29th. The inshore competition will be sailed from May 9 until May 12, Whitsun weekend.

After 15 years of dedicated race leadership, Max Behrend left the organisation. Edwin Lodder, organiser of the Aruba Catamaran Regatta and Co-ordinator of the Round Texel Race, is appointed as new Race Director of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta. 'We are aiming for more one design yacht racing', says Lodder. 'Therefore we are in contact with the Mumm 30, Dehler and First 31.7 organisations. Hopefully there will be enough entries to add their one design classes, for which ten participants are needed. Foreign teams are more than welcome to join us. In the field of dinghy sailing, the Olympic Star and former Olympic Dragon have enthusiastically accepted our invitation.'

Laser Standard back and Yngling temporarily out
Since the Holland Regatta doesn't coincide with the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta 2008, the Laser Standard sailors will return to Scheveningen. As a result, the sailing program includes both the Olympic Laser Radial (Women & Youth) and the Olympic Laser Standard (men). The Yngling fleet will not line up for the annual regatta, due to their Europeans at the same time. The Dutch Dart 18 class will compete for the national title and the Dutch FD class for qualification for the Vintage Yachting Games in September 2008 (Medemblik). About 500 boats are expected on the five racing courses during Whitsun Weekend.

Sister Sledge as musical highlight
'Every year, we try to offer our sailors a musical highlight, which is not an easy task. After performances of Golden Earring and Earth, Wind & Fire, we have found a fantastic successor in the American musical group Sister Sledge', says organiser Frans Sluyters. The four sisters from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, developed their singing style in the local churches of Philadelphia. In the early seventies, they entered stage under the name of Sister Sledge and since then they have scored many world hits. 'We are Family' is an absolute highlight in their careers. On Friday evening May 9th 2008, Sister Sledge will turn the party tent at the Nautical Centre Scheveningen upside down. Like always, that is the place to be for all competitors, as the sailors' village will be the heart of the regatta.