© Urban Böcker

After jumping on bus or plane, teams arrived with harnesses in hand ready for racing. 29erXX Downhill Skiff Cross, a new slalom racecourse – designed after the popular “Downhill Ski Cross” that caused a media storm at the winter Olympics.  During the “Prime Time” racing that took place in front of the Sail Amsterdam grandstands, 8 teams showed off the SEIKO spinnakers in a full knockout series with quarters, semis and finals.

Helene Næss and Ane Gundersen of Norway edging out top Netherlands team in the final proved that excellent boat-handling could land you on top.  After getting knocked out of the quarter finals, Radial star Marit Bouwmeester laughed saying she “might have to get used to having two tillers.”

The course consisted of a “push-start” off the starting pontoon, upwind 3 mark slalom, rounding the top for a downwind slalom back to the finish.  Each boat marked either green or red stayed to the respective starboard or port course.  “I really enjoyed it,” said runner-up skipper Carolien Duetz.  “You lose a lot of the tactics, but you gain a lot of fun, excitement and STRESS!”

“[We wanted] to get to know the 29erXX – and have some fun!” said Netherland’s Match Racer Suzanne Leinders.  Bouwmeester and Olympic 470 sailor Marieke Jongens agreed. “I think we would make a really good [29erXX] team… with some practice!” added Jongens.

Patchy city winds challenged the Race Committee on the first day of racing, making it difficult to set the slalom marks so they shared similar wind conditions.  In the better breeze, and closer set course on day 2 sailors enjoyed the fun and the fanfare.

And so did the fans. “It looks like dancing,” said Brigitte Volkers, seated in the grandstands with her son and husband, “The women are so good at moving through the boat together.”  Beijing Silver medallist Merel Witteveen sailing with Annemiek Bekkering referred to the cheers they earned from the Navy ship full of sailors parked next to the grandstands, “We think they liked the capsizes even more than the racing!”

They might have won their 100 Euros around the buoys, but Helene Næss and Ane Gundersen have much bigger plans.  In their interview with international Race Officer Frans Bolweg, they told the crowds “We want to prove that we are as good as the boys in the 49er – we want to have the 29erXX in the Olympics for 2016.”

The event wouldn't have been possible without the support from SEIKO, Ovington Boats and Skiff Centre Benelux for providing the sails and equipment free of charge to the sailors.  A fantastic network of volunteers formed the Race Committee and ran the VIP spectator vessel - complete with warm tomato soup for all competitors after racing!

There were a lot of smiles and more than a few murmurings about making this an annual event...

Complete photos of the event from photographer Urban Böcker can be viewed at his website.

"Cross" in action up the slalom course.      © Urban Böcker

The 29erXX Downhil SKiff Cross was featured at the Sail Amsterdam festival that takes place every 5 years and draws millions of tourists.      

© Urban Böcker

Femke Adamse and Lizzi Rountree launch in front of the crowd on Day 2.      © Urban Böcker

Lotta Görge celebrates qualifying for the Semi-Finals on the starting pontoon.      © Urban Böcker

Winning team Norway preparing to gybe as each team rounds its own windward mark.      © Urban Böcker

Skandia's 2010 Radial Gold medallist  Marit Bouwmeester (rightt) and 470 sailor Marieke Jongens (left) are all smiles during a pre-race stretch. © Urban Böcker

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