THE BELGIAN NATIONALS - 1997

We travelled to the Belgian Nationals on Friday night leaving quite a windy England. When we arrived there was no wind. The Belgian event was held at Browershaven which is in Holland! Don't ask - I still don't know why the Belgians hold their Nationals in Holland.

Browershaven is a very pretty village on the side of a huge meer, about 3 times the size of Braassemermeer. At registration we bumped into the other Brits. Jan and Michael Lasko.

Saturday was incredibly hot with little wind. There were 71 entrants, mostly Dutch and Belgian. The race officer had a very tricky time setting the courses as the wind dropped to zilch. The sailing was incredibly difficult and very flukey. Only one race was completed on the Saturday.

We woke up on Sunday morning and yes there was a little more wind. The race officer managed to fir in three races. We had to leave to get back for school on Monday morning, but Michael lucky him or so we thought was staying on for the last day of racing on Monday. In fact he had a really frustrating day waiting for the wind and a race. This was not to be and there was no racing on the Monday. This was a fun event despite the lack of wind and I would like to go again next year.

Elliot Willis

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Last modified: May 12, 2002