Unfortunate final day for Team Holmatro at iShares Cup Kiel
September 1, 2008 by Team Holmatro | 0 comments
Extreme 40 Team Holmatro (NED) had an unfortunate final day at the iShares Cup in Kiel, Germany. Despite their strong performance with two bullets, the Dutchmen got involved in two collisions on Sunday August 31st 2008. The jury on the water misjudged the second incident in which Holmatro could not avoid crashing into the stern of Team Origin (GBR). The Dutch crew had to leave the course following a black flag. Due to the incidents, Team Holmatro finished seventh in Kiel and dropped one place on the overall leader board to a fourth position.
“We were a bit unlucky today”, said helmsman Andreas Hagara (AUT) on Sunday evening. “We could have had a really good come back, but the jury on the water made a wrong call. They were not in the right position to see what was going on. After having watched the video, they admitted their fault. It was obvious we had overlap all the time, but a judgment on the water is final.” According to tactician Mischa Heemskerk (NED) they approached the bottom mark on starboard tack with rights, but Alinghi did not give enough room. Heemskerk: “Therefore we could not avoid a collision anymore. We had a choice between crashing into Alinghi or Team Origin. Since we had about the same speed as the British, we thought the impact would be less. We hit their stern, after which they made water.” Team Holmatro did not agree with the black flag and asked for redress. Heemskerk: “Going into the double scoring last race, the jury came by to tell us that we would not get it.” A disqualification remained their score. Hagara: “This cost us our third position overall. It would have been better to extend the gap, to make it easier for Amsterdam.”
Collision with umpire boat
On Sunday morning, Team Holmatro was determined to make up for some poor results in the first two days. Heemskerk: “We did not do so well. Although the starts were much better. We worked on getting off the line with good speed, in which we succeeded. But sometimes we had bad luck. Other competitors would just get a puff or shift and we would not.” However, the final day commenced unexpected. Heemskerk: “At the first mark, an umpire boat was too close and we had not seen them. We hit them and found the jury underneath our cat, but fortunately nobody was injured.” After all the issues with umpires, Team Holmatro came back strongly with two bullets and a third in row. The Dutchmen finished ninth in the final race. Heemskerk: “We are only two points behind BT, so we go for a podium finish in Amsterdam.”
‘One of the best events’
“Kiel was one of the best iShares Cup series so far. The location was perfect and we had great sailing conditions. The first day was a bit of a lottery with the light and shifty breeze, but today we had twelve to fifteen knots”, said Hagara enthusiastically. “I think about 80.000 people in total came to watch the series in Kiel. It was a fantastic show. They all cheered for us. Sailing has many different disciplines and I think the Extreme 40 class is the best one. It brings racing close to the cities and the spectators. The concept works for everyone. The sponsor gets a good return in terms of coverage, the sailors can do what they like to do and the crowd seems to like it.” Heemskerk totally agrees with his helm: “This is the future of our sport. For us it is a pleasure to compete in a series like the iShares Cup. At the bottom mark close to the shore, I pull twice as hard on the sheet if I hear the crowd cheering for us. It was a fantastic event with three days of spectacle.”
Top five iShares Cup Kiel (10 entries):
1. SUI – Alinghi, 139 points
2. GBR – Team Origin, 137 points
3. GBR – Team Aqua, 119 points
4. GBR – BT, 113 points
5. USA – Tommy Hilfiger, 105 points
7. NED – Team Holmatro, 98 points
Top five overall after four series:
1. SUI – Alinghi, 36 points
1. GBR – Team Origin, 36 points
3. GBR – BT, 25 points
4. NED – Team Holmatro, 23 points
5. Oman – Oman Sail, 21 points
About Holmatro
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hydraulic tools for rescue and industry, Holmatro also produces high-quality marine equipment for sailing yachts, with resounding success. The product line of Holmatro Marine Equipment BV comprises hydraulic rigging equipment, (classic) winches and rigging cutters for emergency situations.
By Diana Bogaards
