Tornado sailors Xander Pols and Mark Zwart win the 12th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta; Second and third places go to Tornados too!

These cats love the water

Forty two teams, mostly from the Netherlands and Great Britain came to Aruba to sail their last races this season in sunny weather and warm waters. Aruba has excellent conditions to host a catamaran event. Sailing with winds from 4-6 beaufort and water of 28 degrees Celsius, is the ultimate challenge for a cat sailor.

Race manager Edwin Lodder, is a happy man: "We had excellent competition conditions on the water. And beside the sailing the sailors enjoyed the hospitality of the friendly people of the island."

During the week there were alternative gate courses, triangle courses and long distance courses. The long distance race passes by the beautiful shore of Aruba.

Up until the last race the competition was exciting. The top five places all had a chance for the title. Unfortunately potential winner and helmsman of Arie van de Plas jr. Rob Klootwijk broke his leg. Klootwijk will be in the Arubian hospital until Wednesday. Klootwijk disappointed: "sadly enough…, we were in second position and going strong". Arie took the helm and sailed the last race with an other crew. The result was a 5th place.

Winners Xander Pols en Mark Zwart are very excited and happy with their result. Pols: "the last race was a very tactical race. We had to win from John Moret and Nico Harrewijn. It was very close but we’ve made it!’ Zwart: we enjoyed the sailing very much. The organisation of the event was perfect."