F18 Class Team Boskalis selects last team sailors

by Diana Bogaards on 10 Apr 2008 Team Boskalis selected its last team sailors. Twelve talented potentials participated at the selection day in Scheveningen, a coastal city in the Netherlands. Next weekend at the F18 Class event in Muiderzand/Netherlands, Andrew MCPherson (AUS) will have to make a choice between two technical students Ferdinand van West (21) and Pieter van der Plas (22)

This season, Team Boskalis includes four master/trainee combinations, who will compete in the international F18 catamaran circuit. Personal growth, delegation of knowledge and performing are the key accents. There were only two open spots left, but the jury chose for three sailors. Peter Vink takes charge of Marja van Helden (26). , .

'Our approach for today worked out very well', said team manager Gunnar Larsen afterwards. The briefing took place at 9:30 AM and thirty minutes later half of the group sailed out. Everyone in his turn crewed onboard of one of the two Boskalis Nacra Infusions. Gunnar Larsen and Peter Vink watched the performances carefully from their coach boats. Larsen: 'We paid special attention to how soon somebody got used to the F18 catamaran. To their physical movements and to how quick they adopted the deck lay-out.' The other six potentials stayed onshore and listened to the presentation given by Christa van Helden and Stefan Dubbeldam, two present team sailors. After lunchtime, the two groups swapped.

'Ferdinand and Pieter outshined both in boat handling, so we leave the choice to Andrew MCPherson', said Larsen. On April 12 and 13, the Australian master will team up with the two selected boys at the F18 Class event in Muiderzand (close to Amsterdam). His final decision will be based on this weekend's experiences. For Ferdinand van West, the selection day was his first introduction to catamaran sailing. Until fall 2007, he crewed for Nicolas Heiner on the 49er. Van West, student naval architecture, about his intended switch to the F18: 'This is new to me and I am very curious. I won't be campaigning until the Olympics in Beijing, so I think it is worthwhile to pick up other experiences in the meantime. However, my goal is to qualify for the Olympics 2012.

'The question is in which class, maybe the multihull retains its Olympics status.' From the age of sixteen, Pieter van der Plas, student Marine Technology, has been a fanatical catamaran sailor. He does not have an Olympic dream, but he does have ambitions: 'Last year, I competed with Team Delft Challenge on a Mumm 30 in the Tour de France à la Voile. I wanted to return to the multihull world and Team Boskalis is a great challenge. It gives me the chance to build up international racing experience and to participate at major events.'

Two years ago, Marja van Helden graduated from university with a degree in administrative and organizational science. She and her sister Christa grew up onboard the family Botter (traditional yacht). Van Helden: 'At the age of 18, I started to race our Botter as skipper. Three years ago, my sister introduced me to the Dart circuit and 2007 was my first season crewing on a F18. So, I am pretty new to the class.' It did not take long to answer the question why she chooses for Team Boskalis: 'Within the multihull scene, this is the best chance you can get at the start of your sailing career. Racing a F18 is the ultimate experience. I hope to learn and achieve as much as possible in the F18.'

Roel Berends, Group Director Corporate Relations Boskalis: 'It is stimulating to watch the development of the Master Class. That twelve talented, young sailors are that passionate about and intensely involved in their sports. All of them are ambitious and eager to improve their skills, but unfortunately we only had two more open spots. We give a warm welcome to the selected team sailors and we like to thank the others for their enthusiastic participation at the selection day. Keep sailing.'