Zwitserleven Round Texel Race - New mixed-multihull class

by Diana Bogaards on 14 May 2011 Zwitserleven Round Texel Race, the world's biggest catamaran event, has now introduced a new mixed-multihull class. The decision is ultimately in response to the 2016 Olympic Games election of the mixed-multihull class.

Last weekend at the Mid Year Meeting in St. Petersburg, the ISAF Council voted for the ten events for 2016. Immediately after the return of the multihull on the Olympic agenda was a fact, the organizing committee of the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race sat together. Edwin Lodder, Race Co-ordinator:

'As the leading multihull event, it is important to show the world that we fully support the choice of mixed-multihull sailing and that we wish to promote it. We hope to demonstrate that there are many male / female combinations, which proves that mixed-multihull is a logical choice.'

The 34th Zwitserleven Round Texel Race takes place on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Currently, there are 209 pre-entries. This number is expected to rise further to over five hundred. In 2008, Carolijn Brouwer and Sebbe Godefroid (BEL) were the only mixed-multihull team at the Olympic Games in China. For the Zwitserleven Sailing Week, Brouwer is registered with Wouter Samama (NED). The duo will line up with a 16-foot Viper and is the favorite for mixed-multihull ranking.

The Zwitserleven Sailing Week brings together multiple championships and races. The entire event will commence on Monday, June 20 with the World Cup Slalom Windsurfing and Nacra Championships, including the official 2011 Nacra Infusion Worlds. The Nacra races last until Wednesday morning, because that afternoon the Dutch Open Catamaran Championship begins. The Dutch Catamaran Champions will be crowned on Friday, June 24.

In addition, the Short track Races will take place on Wednesday until Friday. For the recreational sailors there are tours on Thursday and Friday. The wind surfers have their finals on Saturday, June 25, the day on which hundreds of catamarans sail around Texel.

Zwitserleven Round Texel Race: Website