SkiffBenelux.com

Since 2008, this regatta has its own very cosy style.  It does not attract the biggest numbers, but those who attend keep coming back for the good amount of sailing.

The local club has difficulties to get a race committee together, so we run this event with skiffers, friends, family and fools.  So don't expect a full flown, fancy regatta organisation, we don't have a green table, we don't hand out NORs and we will not fly an S flag.  Think of it a good old club racing, but with a high level of sailing.

Entry fee should be around 15€ for singlehanders and 25€ for doublehanders - to be confirmed

Dinner on Saturday night : those who register will receive a mail to choose between fish and meat a few days before the regatta.

For breakfast on Sunday, we can recommend the local bakery/butcher just across the church in the center of Ophoven where you can get everything you need.  If enough people are interested, we can also ask for breakfast at Tegelhuisje or organise preorders at the bakery and pick them up for you

Need to entertain the fanclub or family ?  There are plenty of things to discover with Maaseik and Roermond nearby : outlet shopping on Saturday and Sunday, culture, biking

have a look the following links to get inspiration :

Biking : http://www.fietseninlimburg.net/content.php?hmID=1732&smID=1526

MAASEIK : http://www.toerismelimburg.be/exec/110104/2925/

ROERMOND : http://www.roermond.com/toerisme/toerisme.php

outlet shopping : http://www.designeroutletroermond.com/start.php?lang=nl

THORN : http://www.thorn.nl/index.asp?nmoduleid=2&wgid=26&sc=0&spagetype=21&nPageID=1525&nCMSPageType=1

We will make an overall handicap ranking, probably based on HISC
Classes with at least 10 boats at the start may get a separate class start.

Foiling Moths can sail in Ophoven ; the water gains depth quickly and with 40m of rope under the marks ... your foil should be safe

Race format : we aim for 2 lap, 18 minute races for the fastest 49er ; if very slow boats attend, we may put them on just one lap and double their time to fit them in the handicap, this will reduce waiting time ; we target 5 races a day, more if we can ; turnaround time between races will be minimal so for the urgent pee ... warming your neoprene suit is a better option than heading for the shore (we recommend helms to do this upwind, and crews to 'lighten up' downwind, just to avoid discussion on board)

if the wind shifts, in general we prefer to get going an extra race on a slightly biased course, rather than fiddling hours and hours with marks to get the perfect course ; we will adjust of course for major and lasting shifts.

There will be a short briefing at the clubtent on Saturday at 11:30

Launching is possible via the NLM slipway (this has stones but gains depth quickly, has been used by 20 skiffs last year, without trouble) Those who prefer a sand beach, can start from the sandy beach at nearby Marec camping ; this is about 400m from the NLM club premises.

You can use the showers of the Marec camping

FIRST START ON SATURDAY : 13h      registration from 10h to 11:30h

FIRST START ON SUNDAY : 10h15