It's the NORTH Sea Robi!!! Duh? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wouter and Co can be more precise, but when I've sailed in Holland before at that time of year, the water has been ...... refreshing? You'll need a wetsuit, but the air temps can be pretty good <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Definitely DRY SUIT for me (and possibly other sailors from FL) <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Last year's Westland was 10th Sept. This year's is 16th Sept.

I'm guessing that the 2007 running of the Westland Cup will be either 8th or 15th September - a good 3 weeks after the F16 event.

LOL, sorry but I am not familiar with anything other than the Carribbean and maybe 500 yards off the coast of FL.
YES! exactly!

We don't even DRINK water that cold! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Zandvoort.seatemp.shtml

Bump..

The fact it is a "Worlds" type event means it goes without saying the racing needs to be as complete and organized as possible of course. Here I have no doubt the Zandvoort crew will put togehter a top notch event.

For me personally I go to these events to hang out with old friends and meet new ones. My least favorite events have been those where the competitors show up to their boats, race and then head out on their own or with their clique. No real formal organization is required (and you really do not want me doing karioke) but a seriers of casually scheduled reasons to keep everyone together, meet the different personalities from around the world, discuss sailing or whatever.

M

Agreed; and the solution to this can be having accomadation close by.

What is the situation in the area for either camping, apartments or similar ?

Interesting idea Amando, I trust the F16 governing council will take note of it and consider it.

With respect to GPS logging, lets put that one on hold for now.

Wouter

I think John worded it best.

The concluding weekend of the F16 event is a 100+ boat REM race weekend (2 days of racing) that is also an official F18 class regatta where every "who is who" will be present.

But otherwise you could also consider doing the Valk sailing thing. Those boat can also be your accomodation so those additional days can be quite inexpensive for you. The majority of Valk sailors sleep in their boats or in tents on shore next to the boats.

If you want a holliday full of different sailing experiences than this Zandvoort Event is truly it. Bouy racing in F16 event, Distance race and bouy racing in REM race event. Cruising and inexpensive pleasure sailing in the Valks.

And if so desired there is more available.

Wouter

At these times I typically use a shorty.

However I do keep a full wetsuit available for the windy days with low air temp.

If the racing lasts a full day then the long wetsuit is often nice to wear as over the hours spend on the water you do tend to get a little "fresh with only a shorty"

I never wear drysuits in this time of year; far too hot.

Wouter

I think Matt touches on an important point here.

I have no chance of scoring big in this event if some of the mentioned names turn up for this event. I mostly participate for the camaradery and meeting the guys AND gals. Additionally I do really value the learing for the best part.

In order to satisfy all and make this event worth while to builders, promotors and hardcore racers I think we should really race during the time alloted for the racing. But then fully switch over to the leasure style once the racing has ended for the day. This is alot more enjoyable to the spectators and accompanying family members and it prevents the hard-core racers from being short changed on the racing.

Ergo I think we must endeavour to do both in optima forma AND I do believe that if we can get this done right that it will be a huge boost to the enjoyment of the event by all.

So I'm think out loud :

10:00-12:00 Boat tuning and tweaking and other sailing related activities if so desired by individual crews. Otherwise sleeping in. The RC will use this time to prepare the racing for the day.

Racing starting at 12:00 and ending at 16:00. At least 3 short races a day (I don't want to force the singlehanders to do 3 or 4 long races a day). Allowing three to four "45 min" races and accompanying start/finish sequences.

Then 16:00 - 18:00 derigging boats, showering and getting dressed (all at the club house). During that time the RC will take out the bouys and put these and the boat down for the night.

18:00 and onward an evening long ban on excessive sailing talk and any boat tweaking. This time is then reserved for happy hour, cooking eating, admiring the sunset and generally hanging together.

I envision having some 3 to 4 days like this with intermediate resting days on which each crew is free to do as they like/want.

First weekend is largely open to personal initiative. Last weekend is the REM-race event which is seperated from the F16 cup event. So new chances or new leasure activities. In this weekend the kids are catered for with a various play apparatus.


Wouter

Westland cup 2006 was at 29th / 30th July it is typically 3 weeks before the rem-race.

Often the REM-race is surrounded on either side by the Dutch F18 championships and the individual builder championships (nacra, hobie etc). So not much change of combining more events into one go unless you are willing to spend 3 weeks or more here.



And Phill, you forgot to mention the blue moon ! You remember that rather rare natural aquatic light show for which we woke you while you warned us that :"it'd better be good !"


Wouter

Zandvoort is one of the larger sea resorts towns of Holland. You may have to book somewhat in advance but anything from hotels, private rooms as in B&B, to holliday houses (appartments) can be arranged. The club itself has everything from very clean toilets to showers and storage space for valuables. It also has an non-profit on site bar with last century pricing. The boat parking is somewhat fenced off so only sailors come there. It is not hard fenced off. What I'm trying to say is that the club has somewhat of a private beach area where it is relatively quiet.

There are 2 campings (I believe) in Zandvoort itself. It is more a hotel/appartment oriented town.

These are about 1.5 - 2 km from the club. With bycycles an easy distance to cover.

There are a few more in Bloemendaal, a neighbouring town. About 5 to 10 km from the club.

This is front the top of my head.

Do a google search for details.

Dutch tourist information agency is called VVV .

Wouter

Hi all,

Wouter is mentioning it all ready a bit, but on the moment we are putting a package together where all the exact information will be available for camping, hotels, bungalow parc etc etc etc.
We put a lot of the ideas on paper already in what is mentioned in the posts above. Thank you for this.
There is asked to the webmaster to add an extra button in the main menu with the info available so please keep this on your minds, there will be also a pre-entry form available very soon, if the people who are interested fill this in and return this, would this be great so we can more work on the details of the social part. The race part is already lined up.

The website is now updated. http://www.formula16.org/

A navigation tab on the left of the homepage will take you to a new section specifically for the 2007 Global Challenge.

Details of the planned week of racing and entertainments will be published there. Also there is a link to an entry form in Word format that we would like people to complete so that we can get an idea of likely numbers of competitors.

On the form you can indicate whether you will be definitely attending/thinking about it. Please be totally honest about this so that we can get a reasonably accurate feel for what is required to make the week work.

If you may be sailing 2-up rather than solo, but don't definitely have a crew please indicate this with either 'TBA' if you will arrange your own crew, or 'crew required' if you would like us to link you up with someone. If the latter case applies then it would be useful if you could indicate somewhere on the form what your weight as helm is.

If you want to race, but don't have a boat and wish to crew, please fill in the form accordingly. If you wish to race but need to charter a boat, again fill in the form and we will see what we can do. No promises though!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks.