Personally while I like the beaches alot I also think we must really consider favouring lakes and well sheltered bays for future Global Challenges. Most often the winds can be handled but the seastate and surf can really ruin an event.

We had another taste of this last sunday. I raced on a Nacra F18 then and we had to sail the boat over from Zandvoort to a neighbouring club some 6 km to the north, near the long piers (jetties) of a major industrial harbour exit.

When leaving the beach at Zandvoort we hit a large breaking wave full on and I lost my sailing glasses and my life vest exploded to bits. The hit was sufficiently large to rip open my vest and take out large chunks of the lining (floatation). It also ripped open its zipper. When we got to the piece of water at the other club the surf was like that at a holliday camp. Rather low and mild considering the conditions. All because I was so well sheltered by the long piers to the north and west of the small man made bay.

With respect to lake Como. I also think it to be important not to have the GC at Zandvoort and say Mumbles all the time. That will not be fair to the other F16 sailors. Maybe we should go to Kiel, Carnac or other places like that once in a while. These are well sheltered waters. And Kiel is alot closer to the Norwegians, Swedes and Fins without being to far from us Dutchies and Brits.

Wouter