Slow start for Team Holmatro at iShares Cup 2008

June 1, 2008 by Team Holmatro | 0 comments

Lugano / Italy, June 1 2008 Team Holmatro (NED) had a slow start at the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series 2008. After three days of light air racing on Lake Lugano on the Italian/Swiss border, the Dutch team finished seventh overall. The conditions on the beautiful mountain lake were not easy with a mostly light and variable breeze. The newly mixed Dutch and Austrian Holmatro crew had difficulties to adjust to the challenging circumstances. Going into the final race, they were last on the leader board, but they managed to refocus and were second over the line. Double Olympic Champion Shirley Robertson (GBR) and her team on JP Morgan Asset Management performed consistently and won the first series of the season. Followed by the British America’s Cup Team Origin and BT.

Lugano / Italy, June 1 2008

Team Holmatro (NED) had a slow start at the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series 2008. After three days of light air racing on Lake Lugano on the Italian/Swiss border, the Dutch team finished seventh overall. The conditions on the beautiful mountain lake were not easy with a mostly light and variable breeze. The newly mixed Dutch and Austrian Holmatro crew had difficulties to adjust to the challenging circumstances. Going into the final race, they were last on the leader board, but they managed to refocus and were second over the line. Double Olympic Champion Shirley Robertson (GBR) and her team on JP Morgan Asset Management performed consistently and won the first series of the season. Followed by the British America’s Cup Team Origin and BT.



Except for the big squall on day one, the racing was not extreme at this event. It was about concentration, the finest trim, team work and finding pressure. A fleet of nine catamarans crewed by world’s best sailors, does not allow too many mistakes. That made it hard for unfortunate competitors, like Alinghi that capsized in the very first race and also Holmatro that started off with an OCS. The high level competition was a fantastic show for the crowd, since the course was not far from shore. A special tribune, terraces, RIB’s and beaches were used by the spectators. Despite the absence of flying hulls, it was still a spectacle to watch.

“We were not good enough in these conditions”, said helmsman Hagara on Sunday morning. While floating around with the AP flag up, the highly experienced Austrian multihull sailor analysed their performances so far: “We lost out on all parts of the game: tactical decisions, communication onboard and boat handling in the manoeuvres. It is very hard to keep the boat moving in this light breeze. We haven’t trained that before.” Team Holmatro did prepare itself by joining Alinghi and Oracle BMW in their Extreme 40 trainings sessions in Valencia, but there was always more than eight knots of wind. However, these hours paid off in the practice races in Lugano. Hagara: “We had slightly more pressure and finished first, second and third. It is frustrating that we could not continue these results during the series. We are all very competitive, so it is a good sign that everybody is disappointed. We can turn that into new energy.”

Moving forward
On Saturday evening before the pasta party, the Holmatro crew talked about their team work and about the problems they experienced. Mischa Heemskerk: “Next morning, we left the harbour early and practiced. It is not so much visible in the overall results, but we are learning. We changed plans for the start. Andy and I are communicating better and everybody knows what to do. It is about minor things.” All the frustration and disappointment made the Holmatro crew extremely eager to improve their performances on the last day, which they did. They commenced with a fifth position and the smiles returned to their faces after the following race in which they finished second. Alinghi took that bullet, which pleased their local fans, who cheered proudly for them. The race committee tried to start a final race, but had to abandon it due to lack of wind. That is why the ninth result counted as a double score. Holmatro climbed to a seventh position overall. “Yes, that is a relief”, admitted crew member Sander Speet. Gert Habermüller: “It should be every day like today. I am looking forward to next week in Hyeres. Hopefully there will be more wind. We have had many training hours in 10-15 knots and we know we are fast in those conditions.”

Holmatro is no stranger to the sailing circuit having maintained a close and successful association with the Dutch raced Grand Soleil 44. Building on that relationship the company will supply the Extreme 40 fleet with hydraulic mainsheet systems and custom designed winches.

By Diana Bogaards