DART 18 WORLDS 2009

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DART 18 WORLDS 2009 BRINGS STRONG COMPETITION TO ARUBA
Three nations match at Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta 2009

Aruba, November 17 2009 (by Diana Bogaards)
This year’s Dart 18 Worlds catamaran sailing brings strong competition to Aruba. Title defender and European champion Emmanuel Dodé (FRA) will be present. The current Dutch and Belgian Champions David Lloyd en Joanna Jones-Pierce (GBR) are also on their way to the Caribbean island. The 41 teams, representing nine countries, are going to fight a tough battle for victory on the Caribbean Sea. The first starting gun will be fired on Sunday November 22, on the same day as the nineteenth Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta commences with fourteen participants. Dodé and Lloyd/Jones-Pierce are considered as favourites. David Lloyd is the only sailor who competed in all previous Dart 18 World Championships. In 1998, the British duo won its first bronze medal at the Dart 18 Worlds and number three followed last year. They took silver in 2007. So far into this season, they have beaten Dodé in all meetings. The French couple Thierry and Christine Wibeaux will absolutely try to repeat its winning performance at the 2004 Worlds. From Germany, the former European Champions Matthias Huber and Dominik Volke will line up. Aruba Heineken Regatta Open ClassThe annual Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta will be held simultaneously with the Dart 18 Worlds. Twelve races are scheduled for the fourteen beach cats in the open class. Former winners Xander Pols (NED) and John Moret (NED) are believed to be the biggest favourites. Pols also took the line honours of the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race twice. The fleet represents the Dutch, German and Aruban flags, so it is going to be a match between these three nations. For the majority of participants, the long distance race is always the highlight of the week. It takes the fleet down the Aruban coast, along the harbour of Oranjestad and on the way back through a beautiful lagoon. The course racing around the marks takes place on the Caribbean Sea off Palm Beach. Due to the prevailing offshore trade winds, the water is flat. This allows competitors of all levels to participate. Both competitions will finish on Friday November 27, with a lay-day on November 24. Traditionally, the organization offers an extensive social program, including beach parties and happy hours. Dart 18 – Younger sister of TornadoIn 1975, Rodney March (GBR) designed the Dart 18 as a One Design Class. The concept originates from his earlier creation, the ex-Olympic Tornado from 1967. The Dart 18 is 5.5 meters long, has a mainsail and jib, one trapeze for the crew and no dagger boards. The boat is easy to sail and therefore still popular. Thanks to the lack of continuous development of equipment, the Dart 18 remains an affordable class for a wider group of sailors.
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