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1 June 2005, 12:39 pm

557 Pre-entries Received

Zwitserleven Round Texel Race 2005

Texel, Netherlands

A week and a half before the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race 2005, the organization has received 557 pre-entries. Sailors representing nine countries will try their luck on 11 June in one of the world's biggest catamaran races.

Most olympic teams will not be present in Texel, since the 2005 Tornado World Championship starts on Monday 13 June in France. However, Mitch BOOTH and Herbert DERCKSEN (NED) will participate when they go for line honours on a Hobie Fox Extreme Concept Boat. 'We are using high-tech technology from the olympic sport for a beach cat. With this boat, we should be able to stay ahead of a Tornado' says BOOTH.

They have to race against Hans BOUSCHOLTE and Ruurd VAN WIEREN (NED) on an eagle 20 carbon, but also against Wouter SAMAMA and Jeroen VAN LEEUWEN, a new Dutch Tornado team. Richard ALLEN and Simon FARREN (GBR) are also feared competitors in the Tornado.

There are several other favourites, sailing on different F18 catamarans, for the victory on handicap. The German SACH brothers and the French BOULOGNE brothers, second overall in 2004 and F18 World Champions 2003, on a Cirrus. Paralympic sailor Thierry SCHMITTER (NED) will start in the Dart 18 class.

Round Texel Co-ordinator Edwin LODDER is optimistic, 'Despite the lack of many Olympic sailors, the fleet is of a high level again. It promises to be a strong competition and hopefully with an exciting final.'

Event Media (As Amended By ISAF)