Belgian Open Multihull Championships - Sailing Olympian extends record

by 2B Sailing on 18 May 2010 The Belgian open multihull championships in Knokke on the weekend saw multiple sailing Olympian Carolijn Brouwer won her first battle on land when a coin toss secured her the skipper’s position on her new Viper and claimed her second triumph soon after when she and partner Darren Bundock raced to victory.

The pair was a newly formed mixed crew racing at the event but dominated from the start, winning five of their seven races during the two-day regatta.

Brouwer has now recorded back-to-back victories on the Viper following her history-making win with crewmate Liz Wardley at the recent Eurocat regatta in Carnac, France, and the first win by a mixed crew in the two-day Belgian open multihull championships on the North Sea.

'We couldn't decide which of us was going to steer the boat and who was going to crew because both of us helmed Tornados at the last Olympics,' said Brouwer, who represented the Oostende Sailing Club at the two-day championships in Belgium and with Wardley earlier this month became the first all-female crew to win in Carnac.

'So in the end we decided to toss a coin. I won and decided to steer and Darren got to crew. And despite us not ever sailing the Viper together before the regatta, it just came together for us. It was great for a 16ft catamaran to out perform the larger Formula 18’s.'

While Brouwer raced - and won - the Eurocat regatta on a Viper, the Belgian championships was the first time Bundock has sailed the high-performance catamaran competitively.

And the seven-time world Tornado catamaran champion, who raced the C2 Formula 18 at Carnac for the first time and left the regatta with a stunning second placing, gave the Viper the thumbs up for its speed and performance in a variety of conditions, ranging from six to 15 knots.

'It's fantastic that we get to sail together, not against each other for once, in a boat that delivers everything you can ask for. Speed, success and a lot of fun,' said the multiple Olympic medallist from Australia, now based in Europe for the summer racing season.

'It's nice to be able to sail together and be ultra competitive not just against other catamarans but also against really established all-male crews.”

'It goes to show the Viper has a real place on the international racing scene and that brute force isn't always needed to win.' said Brouwer, who’s next sailing outing will be the famous Round Texel with Liz Wardley back on board.

Bundock will be back on his C2 Formula 18 for Round Texel, known as the world’s largest catamaran race.

For further information about the Viper please go to: www.2Bsailing.eu