Leuk artikel uit "UK-Halsey Newsletter"

In the Netherlands this spring, Harry Amsterdam proved this comfortable cruiser is a fast sailboat as well. The Lenco Regatta, off Lelystad, in late April was sailed under light conditions. On the first day three short upwind-downwind races were sailed followed by a long distance race on Sunday.

In the ORC Class 2, Jan de Vries' X-40 EALA missed first place overall by half a point, to finish second. Harry Amsterdam sailing the new Arcona 340 finished third. Given the fact that Harry's Arcona 340 had just come out of the box with no preparation at all, this was an excellent result. Her carbon Tape-Drive sails were perfect. The Lenco Regatta proved to be a good preparation for the IJ-toren Race a week later. The same course off Lelystad turned cold, wet and windy. EALA did not compete, but Harry did a very good job for UK-Halsey - De Vries Sails by taking home the overall first prize in ORC 1 & 2 with an excellent series: 1-1-2-1-2-(3)-1. The North Sea Regatta off Scheveningen was a 10-day event made up of five separate events. ORC Class 2 only participated in four of the five events. The first event was a long distance race that crossed the English Channel; neither EALA or the Arcona 340 competed in this one. On Friday, May 21st, the Houtrust Race had 35 boats in ORC Class 2. Harry Amsterdam's Arcona 340 was first. Jan de Vries' X40 EALA was fifth. The prestigious Yeoman Challenge series was sailed Saturday and Sunday. Five of the six planned races were sailed. In ORC Class 2, 37 boats competed and once again Harry Amsterdam ruled the roost with scores of 2-2-6-2-4. Second this time went to Jan de Vries' EALA with scores of 1-1-4-10-5. Both were very fast. It was a difficult final day of the North Sea Regatta. The ORC and IRC yachts sailed the Fjellstö medium-distance race, and the ORC Class 2 lined up with the biggest fleet (25). Harry Amsterdam took that bullet. EALA didn't sail this race since someone had to get back to the loft and go to work!