The Zuidlaardermeerweek was reduced to a weekend a few years ago. This year the event was over after one race due to strong gusts of wind. Never before has the annual sailing event lasted as short as this 64th edition.
At the first race on Saturday morning, the sailors in the various classes already had to work hard. A leading group quickly emerged in the O-jol with Melle Heerlien, Ward Boersma and Benni Oldenbeuving. For Heerlien and Boersma, the weekend was also a training for the European championships that start in Travemunde in a week and a half. Heerlien won the race, while Boersma, who had been in second position for a long time, was unable to absorb a wind shift and was passed by Oldenbeuving.
Miscalculation
While there were white heads on the waves, the second race started, but it was stopped prematurely. Many sailors got into trouble because of the strong and unpredictable gusts of wind. Heerlien, who again led the race, also capsized. ,,I made a miscalculation, but better now than later at the European Championship. I’ve never been capsized before,” he said, still somewhat bewildered.
Later in the afternoon, the organization wanted to make another attempt. “It was not familiar to go out on the water again. The wind force had increased even more”, said race director Rik Klok. There was also too much wind for the sailors on Sunday.
Heerlien still wanted to complete his preparation for the European Championship and did go on the water. ,,I was the only one on the lake and I took a Finn just to be sure, it doesn’t turn over as quickly, but that way I could still do some physical training with that strong wind.”
wind force 7
,,I have not won an event that often”, Theo Dik stated. In the 16m2, the Wildervanker crossed the finish line first. In the stopped race he was again among the fastest three behind Erik Groeneveld and Rob Klein. ,,It is a pity that we only sailed one race, but with wind force 7 like Sunday it is really not possible. Hopefully the weather will be better next week during the Schildweek”, said the former chairman of the Schildmeer sailing club.
Results
16m2: 1. Theo Dik (Wildervank), 2. Jan Dik (Appingedam), 3. Slopsema (Haren).
O-jol: 1. Heerlien (Sappemeer) , 2. Oldebeuving (Westerlee), 3. Boersma (Noordbroek).
Ilca7: 1. Steenbeek, 2. De Vries, 3. Kuiper. Finn: 1. Mulder, 2. Schulte, 3. Storm.