Thursday, December 3, 2009

Bouwe Breaks North Sea Record


Champagne for Bouwe Bekking © Ronald Koelink - foto-nautiek.nl
Latest News - Delta Lloyd sets new record.

Team Delta Lloyd skippered by Bouwe Bekking set a new North Sea record by sailing from Lowestoft to IJmuiden in 5 hours, 23 minutes and 18 seconds, beating the old record by 23 minutes.

Delta Lloyd was crewed by a mix of professional Dutch sailors and amateurs, all employes of Delta Lloyd.

The record was first set in 1981 by windsurfers Stefan van den Berg and John van der Starre in 8 hours and 8 minutes. This was beaten in 1989 by surfers Tim Klijn and Jaap Kriele who completed the crossing in 7 hours and 56 minutes. In 2005 kitesurfer Stef de Jong broke the record with a time of 7 hours and 53 minutes.

Hans Bouscholte tried to set the record in 2001 and 2004 using catamarans.
In 2007 he used an Volvo Open 60 Brunel, and set the record to 6 hours and 22 minutes.

In 2008 the Volvo Open 60 Pleomax (former Silk Cut) with skipper Harm Prins set the record to 5 hours and 59 minutes.