Dutch Tornado sailors Xander Pols and Mark Zwart won the 12th Heineken Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta by one point from UK Team Magic Marine of Richard Allen and James Hoad with the Dutch Tornado Team of John Morert and Nico Harrewijn a further point behind.

The final result was not confirmed until the end of the final race with Allen and Hoad taking their third race win but unable to put another boat between them and Pols it was Pols who took the championship, the closest in the 12 years the event has been running.

A total of 42 teams, mostly from the Netherlands and Great Britain, came to Aruba to sail their last races this season in sunny weather and warm waters. Sailing with winds from Force 4-6 and water of 28 degrees Celsius, is the ultimate challenge for a cat sailor.

Race manager Edwin Lodder, is a happy man, commenting: ‘we had excellent competition conditions on the water. And beside the sailing the sailors enjoyed the hospitality of the friendly people of the island.’

During the week there were alternative gate courses, triangle courses and long distance courses.

The long distance race passes by the beautiful shore of Aruba.

Up until the last race the competition was exciting. Numbers 1 till 5 all had a chance for the title. Unfortunately potential winner and helmsman of Arie van de Plas jr. Rob Klootwijk broke his leg. Klootwijk will be in the Arubian hospital until Wednesday. Klootwijk disappointed: ‘sadly enough…, we were in second position and going strong.’

Arie took the helm and sailed the last race with an other crew. The result was a fifth place.

Winners Xander Pols en Mark Zwart are very excited and happy with their result. Pols: ‘the last race was a very tactical race. We had to win from John Moret and Nico Harrewijn. It was very close but we’ve made it!’

Overall Results

1st Xander Pols and Mark Zwart

2nd Richard Allen and James Hoad

3rd John Moret and Nico Harrewijn