PRESS RELEASE


Aruba ‘around the island’ sailing was successful

Sunfish champion Richard van der Wal around the island in 9:30 hours

Oranjestad. – The Aruba ‘around the island’ sailing round 2007 held last Saturday September 15th was successful. Participation was higher than last year and consisted of 7 sailing yachts, 3 Sunfishes and one small motor craft.

This year all participating yachts completed the ‘around the island’, i.e.: Tranquillo, Eva Luna, Teishi, Pionier, Sagitarius, Andante en Cruzancat. The small yachts Pionier and Sagitarius were the first ones to leave at 06:00. At 7:00 they were followed by Eva Luna, Andante, Teishi and the catamaran Cruzancat. Going to Seroe Colorado the wind was light and the yachts had to stay as close as possible to the shore to avoid the current South of Aruba. On this strech the crews had to work hard to tack the yachts against the wind contineously. In the end most of the yachts needed about five hours to reach Seroe Colorado. The condition of the sea at Seroe Colorado, the most difficult point on the route, was favourable this year and the crews did not suffer from any seasickness.

After Seroe Colorado the yachts gained speed and most of them needed only two to three hours along the Northern coasts to reach Westpunt. After Westpunt the wind grew stronger which brought the yachts back to the yacht clubs in an hour.

Tranquillo was the last yacht to leave at 08:00 but in contrast to what her name suggests, she passed all other yachts during the course of the day. Both Tranquillo and Sagitarius used a spinnaker (red: a huge round sail) traversing the Northern coast in order to gain extra speed. In the end Tranquillo set a personal record by completing the ‘around the island’ in 7 hours, 6 minutes and 34 seconds. Other yachts did take it easy and even anchored at Malmok for a swim before continuing their passage. The Boston Whaler Malle Babbe turned the day into a fishing trip and also completed the ‘round the island’. 

This year there were Sunfishes participating in Aruba ‘around the island’ for the first time. A Sunfish is a 16 feet sailing boat for one person. Richard van der Wal, Aruban Sunfish champion of 2006, left Surfside at 06:30 with the objective of completing the entire ‘around the island’. Two other Sunfishes left from Rodgers Beach at 10:00 and awaited van der Wal for a rendez-vouz on the water. Thereafter the Sunfish trio continued together along the Northern coast to reach Surfside at 4:00 in the afternoon. Richard van der Wal herewith completed the ‘around the island’ in a record time for Sunfishes of 9:30 hours. 

In the evening there was a barbeque at Bucuti Yacht Club where the crews socialized and reflected on the activity of the day. The Aruba ‘around the island’ is a leisure trip for all sailing yachts regardless of their size. For most of the participating yachts the Aruba ‘around the island’ is a preparation for the passage to Bonaire in connection with the regatta in October.