The biggest cat race of the year will be held this weekend on the island of Texel ( Holland). Have a look at there website www.roundtexel.com you will see this is a great event. There are already 476 competitors entered so far but they expect at Saterday around 600 boats because a lot of people wait to see what the weather is doing. You can follow the race via the internet and it is worth looking at it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hans,

Good luck to you and all who take part. I really must fine the time to do Texel again (having been the last time when it was cancelled.

While you lot are all sailing, I'll be playing with my new car <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Simon,

I am also one of them who is waiting on what the weather is doing. It is expensive to compete and i just bought the tickets for the Worlds 2007 A-class at Islamorada so just i need to be sure it is going on with not to much wind

That is one advantake of being fairly local Hans. It is a big commitment for us in the UK to come over.

I'll be plauing with this:

Simon,

You are absolutly right on that, it is a great commitment to come over to the mainland for just 1 day of racing and having the change of not going because of to much wind.
It would for the organisation maybe something to have a price for the people coming from outside of Holland.
btw a very nice car.

Han I will be at the A cat worlds helping with the event. Look me, ill be glad to buy you a cervesa and recommend a few good restaurants.

Have fun at Texel, someday ill be thar.

Robi,

I am looking forward meeting you at the Worlds. I did see some pictures of the area and did have a look at Google Earth about the place where the races will be sailed and i am looking forward to come over.
I only am looking for a not to expensive rent a car to get from the Miami airport to the keys. Maybe someone knows a not to expensive one.
I have a bike available when i am there because i put this in the container. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You cant go wrong with any of the local rental companies. I usually use enterprice. Just rent a compact car and you will be set.

I will contact them a couple of days before i leave to reserve one.

Its not just one day of sailing, its 4 days (Dutch Open+Round Texel).
This morning there was about 15kts from the SW, at noon this rose to 20kts and racing was postponed.
Then at 16:00 the wind went back to 12-15kts and we where able to get 2 races in.
For tomorrow the forecast is 5kts SE (Is'nt that perfect A weather?).

Couldn't do it this year, but we'll definitely do it one year. I see that there's already a couple of F16s entered. Best of luck, and I hope the weather behaves.

Scooby - nice car. You need to get that on a track <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I'm probably doing Bedford on the evening of 10th July if you're interested.

Paul

It sure is Paul.

0-60mph in 4.25, 0-100 in about 11, standing quarter in 12.9

320bhp of much sillyness. 10th is too soon after the ECPR ! What you driving ?

2 Spitfires and 2 Blades as of yet.

The crews are :

Sproat, Chris (UK) | Burke, Georgina (UK) | spitfire | 158 | Gold Fleet | Swell catamarans Spitfire
White, Henry (UK) | Windle, Mike (UK) | spitfire | 106 | Gold Fleet | Swell catamarans Spitfire

Ruesink, Geert (NL) | Jansen, Raymond (NL) | blade F16 (2) | 014 | Silver Fleet | VWM Blade F16
Kooyman, Martien (NL) | Marle, Frank Van (NL) | blade F16 (2) | 015 | Gold Fleet | VWM Blade F16


Weather predictions for Texel don't look too bad (although not great either), force 4 winds from the North-west on saterday, so Blade NED111 (Hans Klok) may still decide to go and give it a try.


Sproat and Burke are currently placed 3rd overall in the Texel Dutch open bouy race regatta that is held in the week before the Round itself.

Wouter

The bread van:



Paul

Sproaty has also been the Spitfire European Champion. When you see him he's always smiling. Rumors say it is due to the Spitfires handicap.

or that he's a good sailor ?

Well, under the Texel rating the Spitfire is rated at 104 to 101 of the F18's, that is not a large difference. I think the SCHRS rating is 1.035 to 1.005 for the F18 also three points. Pretty much, under both systems, the Spitfire has 80 seconds extra after 45 minute racing. That may sound like alot but it really isn't. They are just very good sailors, as alot of spitfire crews tend to be in my opinion.

Here Sproat/Burke sailing on the first day in the Texel Dutch Open 2007.





Wouter

You probably already knew this Wouter but Sproaty has been experimenting with John's T foils.

Seriously ?

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. T-foil rudders are promising.

Wouter

Now that is an under statement.
I'm a total convert. Either upwind or definitely downwind where I sail (Bristol Channel, Irish sea or Atlantic Ocean dependent on wind direction) T foils are the equivalent of the "Star Ship Enterprise" (work that out for yourself) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />