Two Volvo Open 70s will set sail for Scheveningen (Netherlands) to participate in the offshore races of the ABN AMRO North Sea Regatta in May.

Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine (formerly Pirates of the Caribbean) and ABN AMRO 1 (VOR winner) will line up for the annual Vuurschepenrace from Scheveningen to Harwich (UK) and back on 15 May. However, whether ABN AMRO 1 actually makes it to the startline on time entirely depends on her return passage from the Caribbean – fresh from competiting at Antigua Sailing Week.

Bouwe Bekking (skipper of abandoned VOR yacht movistar) will also be competing in his home water aboard a Swan 45 Bolidt synthetic systems (NED). Prior to the start on Friday May 25, Bekking will christen the metallic orange coloured Swan. Another familiar face from the prestigious ocean race is Gert-Jan Poortman (NED). The bowman of ABN AMRO 2 who will be tactician onboard Eclectic, a Dehler 44.