It was the best regatta ever - Herbert Dercksen

by Team Holmatro / Diana Bogaards on 6 May 2006 'People were cheering for us, as we passed them along the quay-sides', says Herbert Dercksen (NED) enthusiastically about the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix in Baltimore / USA. 'This hardly happens in the sailing sport and it is axactly what the class was designed for.'

The five spectacular 40-foot catamarans sailed eighteen races in the Inner Harbour from April 28 until May 3 2006. The office workers were hanging out of their windows and the area was crowded with about 350.000 visitors to the Waterfront Festival.

Team Holmatro lined up well prepared for the American event. The Dutchmen finished second after Tommy Hilfiger (USA) in a fierce competition with all crews. Thanks to their performance in Baltimore, they climbed to the third position on the overall ranking after three series.

'We have put more time in training sessions and that makes a difference', explains class CEO Herbert Dercksen their considerable improvement in results. Although Team Holmatro ended up as fourth and last but one boat in Rio de Janeiro, they had a two-day lead in Baltimore. Throughout the regatta, the regular crew of Herbert Dercksen, Mitch and son Taylor Booth was completed with a skilled sailor from one of the Volvo Open 70 teams. Pirate Anthony Merrington (AUS) could not resist the temptation and joined the Dutchmen for a second racing sequence.

Dercksen: 'It is fantastic to sail with them. They are fit and have a good overview. They know what has to be done.' After Tommy’s impressive victories on the first day of the Baltimore Grand Prix, it was Team Holmatro’s turn to give a show. The quartet scored three bullits and one second place, which pushed them to the top of the leader board. But finally, it was again Tommy Hilfiger, helmed by two times Olympic medallist Randy Smith (USA), that won the Grand Prix. The first win of the Americans was in Spain at the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in November. Dercksen: 'Randy has sailed an excellent event, so he is a true winner. We are absolutely happy with our ranking. We are back on track.'

Fierce competition:

As the teams are becoming more experienced with the 40-foot catamarans, racing starts to get more fierce. Protests form an established practice of the Grand Prix series. The sailors compete on the edge, which causes excitement and sensation.

Dercksen: 'It is very obvious that the level has improved. Everybody sails better and in a different way. The competition is extremely close. We change positions continuously within centimeters and the public can almost touch our boats.' According to Dercksen, there was one day with about 100.000 visitors who witnessed the Volvo Extreme 40 spectacle in the Inner Harbour. Dercksen: 'It is great to organize this event and to receive such an award. We are proud of the interaction with the crowd and the users of our website.'

For class CEO Dercksen it has not always been easy to combine his busy schedule with sailing, but in Baltimore he could completely fulfil his job as main sail trimmer onboard Team Holmatro. Despite all the hard work, he enjoyed everything.

Dercksen: 'Of course I do, it is absolutely worth it. Especially with this public.' Meanwhile, the champaign bottles are empty and the boats are almost ready for transport, so it is time to look ahead. On May 27, the last but one Grand Prix will start in Portsmouth (GBR). Dercksen is enthusiastic about the British location: 'It is less compact than here, but people can watch the races from the beach. It is going to be great again.'

Final results Grand Prix Baltimore:
1. Tommy Hilfiger, USA (1,1,1,1,2,4,5,3,1,1,4,4,1,2,1,1,1,2) 149 pts.
2. Team Holmatro, NED (2,3,3,2,1,1,1,2,3,3,1,2,3,5,3,2,5,3) 130 pts.
3. Team Basilica, GBR (4,4,2,5,5,2,2,1,2,2,3,1,4,4,2,DNF,2,1) 123 pts.
4. Motorola-CHR, GBR (5,2,4,3,3,3,3,4,4,5,5,3,2,3,4,DNF,3,5) 98 pts.
5. Volvo Ocean Race, USA (3,5,5,4,4,5,4,5,5,4,2,5,5,1,DNF,DNF,4,4) 91 pts.

Overall ranking after three events:
1. Tommy Hilfiger 26 pts.
2. Basilica 20 pts.
3. Holmatro 19 pts.
4. Motorola-CHR 18 pts.
5. Volvo Ocean Race 16 pts.