Team Holmatro (NED) had a tough start to their iShares Cup training this month, with their first session in the Extreme 40 taking place in winds gusting up to 40 knots.Training alongside America’s Cup challengers BMW-Oracle in Valencia, Holmatro’s first session afloat became a real challenge as the breeze picked up to 40 knots at the end of the afternoon. The following days were calmer, so the Dutch and American teams practised racing around the cans on short courses. For Holmatro helmsman Andreas Hagara (AUT) it was the first time out on the water with his newly selected crew of Mischa Heemskerk (NED, main trim and tactician), Gerd Habermuller (AUT, mastman and grinder) and Sander Speet (NED, spinnaker and jib trim).
“Our first day was pretty tough and wet,” said Heemskerk afterwards. “We got completely washed, but everybody had big smiles on their faces. Fortunately, the wind dropped and we had some great days of short course racing, so we could learn the dance steps on the trampoline. And especially within an international team, we have to focus on the communication onboard. In general, our boat speed is not too bad, but we need to work more on details and manoeuvres.”Sander Speet said it was “one big learning process”. The talented sailor is new to multihulls, but says he is enjoying the opportunity: “Everything you do on a cat seems to be exactly the opposite from monohulls. It is very interesting to gain knowledge of a different discipline of the sport. It is also a unique chance to work with multihull specialists as Andy and Mischa.”
Team Holmatro finished second overall in the 2007 iShares Cup, but the standard and number of participants has increased for 2008. Asked about their chances of bringing the Cup to the Netherlands, helmsman Hagara said: “It is going to be really hard against the professionals. A podium finish would be a very good result. I think we will be able to achieve this goal after a few more training sessions.”
More training in Valencia is planned next month, culminating in a multi-boat training event from May 14-18 being organised in co-ordination with OC Events, iShares, TornadoSport and Team Alinghi — which should provide plenty more clues to who’s in form for this year’s iShares Cup, watch this space!
To find out more about Team Holmatro see
http://www.teamholmatro.com
