Henneman and Koo win wildcard for the Dutch Match Cup

Lelystad, Netherlands (August 24, 2014) – After a weekend of spectacular sailing, with weather conditions looking like four seasons in one day as umpire Craig Mitchell mentioned, both Arthur Herreman (FRA) and Jeremy Koo (MAS) left the venue of Bataviahaven with a wildcard for the Dutch Match Cup. The Dutch Match Cup, which will take place from September 24 – 28 this year, is stage 5 of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour. Herreman and Koo showed this weekend at Lelystad, Holland, that they are on their way to the top of international match racing.

For Batavia Sailing Center, organizer of both the Batavia Regatta as the Dutch Match Cup, the severe and changing weather conditions made it a harsh test for the event in September. Manager of the RC, the young but experienced Joost Brouwer, was excited about the Batavia Regatta: “This was some serious sailing. The weather conditions this weekend with a lot of wind shifts and constantly changing weather asked a lot from both the sailors as our race committee. I think, and the sailors agree with me, they did a great job this weekend”.

Sailing in front of the heavy concrete wall, which encloses Bataviahaven, made it very exciting and a must see for the spectators. Closer to the audience sailing can’t get. Without damaging the boats that is. For runner up Jeremy Koo this was the first race he sailed in Europe: “We didn’t know this water, didn’t know this boats but thanks to the practice time we succeeded to adapt quiet quick. And it was great racing. The finals against Arthur were very spectacular and exciting. The boats are quick responding and challenging.”

Arthur Herreman was excited with his victory and the Wildcard for the Dutch Match Cup: “Saturday we had to adapt to the conditions and these boats which are, like the J-80’s, quick in taking up speed and can change course very fast. And the opponents, of whom some had more sailing time in these boats, were up to it. Sunday we had a better day and much better results. Sailing the finals against Jeremy was great fun and very exciting. These fast boats kept us quiet busy otherwise we could have shaked hands with the audience during the races. Just to illustrate how close we sailed to this frightening concrete wall. It was great sailing and we are looking forward to compete in the Dutch Match Cup.”

Both Dutch teams participating in the Batavia Regatta gave their best, but had announced in advance that the Batavia Regatta was for them a good practice. Team Klaartje Zuiderbaan, a complete female team, ended on the sixth place; the Opportunity Team of Dirk Jan Korpershoek, finished finally on the fourth place.

The final ranking of the Batavia Regatta

1. Arthur Herreman, Team Herreman (FRA)
2. Jeremy Koo, Sime Darby Foundation/KRT (MAS)
3. Philip Bendon, Glenmar Race Team (IRL)
4. Dirk-Jan Korpershoek, Opportunity team (NED)
5. Johantan Hammond, 212 Degree Racing Team (USA)
6. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, Team BSC (NED)
7. Rikst Dijkstra, She Sails (NED)
8. Martin Mehus, Team Geronimo (NOR)

Report by Event Media