From the 27th to 29th of March 2020, the R&ZV Naarden and J/80 Benelux Class Association will host the 2020 Open Dutch J/80 Championship (“ONK”) in the gorgeous waters of the Marker Meer, near the Harbour of Naarden.
The class expects around 30 boats and more than 120 sailors from all over the Europe that will compete for the title on the challenging conditions of the Marker Meer.
The R&ZV Naarden has previously hosted the Open Dutch J/80 Championships from Naarden on the Marker Meeer in 2019 and 2017.
For the host nation, it will be a real fight for national honors knowing that Belgians secured the silver medal in last years 2019 J/80 Open Dutch Championship that were held on the same waters. Winning that event was the JSB sailed by local Naardens Jorrit Beekman; the silver went to the Belgian SeaYou2, sailed by Winnie Berteloot; and the bronze was taken by former J/80 Open Dutch Champion, Nick Elsink’s J’Zuster!
Will history repeat itself again? Or, will the top, other Dutch, German, Belgian or French teams have done enough homework, refined their speed and tuning, to displace last years teams from the podium? There is no question many leading J/80 crews now racing in the large Frostbite Fleet (28 boats) are already working hard on that idea!
“As Member of the Regatta Committee of the R&ZV Naarden and skipper on a J/80, I would like to encourage you to take part in the upcoming Open Dutch J/80 Championships that are going to be held from Harbour of Naarden on the Marker Meer from the 27th to the 29th of March 2020. Our Club is fully committed to making this regatta a success, especially as it is a one-of-a-kind event for the Club, hosting the largest one design event in the Netherlands.
During race weekend you will not only be able to enjoy sailing on a magnificent course, but also enjoy a variety of social events organized ashore, sponsored drinks, skippers dinner and music. Within the harbor of Naarden there are excellent solutions for you, your crew and companions to stay, such as water lodges, little houses, camping site and hotel nearby.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the Benelux J/80 Class Association for once again deciding to back our bid to host these Championships. Likewise, I would also like to thank the Harbor of Naarden who have given us their full support and provide us with all the necessary services to launch and berth the fleet during the Championships.
I sincerely hope many J/80 sailors from around the world take part in this fantastic event (an “open” Dutch J/80 Championship), it’s a beautiful place to sail and the food, beer, ambience, hospitality are second to none,” commented the Chairman of the R&ZV Naarden, Bert Piels.
With the registration Thursday evening and early Friday morning, racing commences on Friday, March 27th with the goal to run as many as twelve races by Sunday, March 29th.
At the conclusion of racing, the Open Dutch Championship title will be awarded along with trophies for the top Corinthian crews. For more 2020 J/80 Open Dutch Championship sailing information, visit the websites of www.j80.nl or www.RZVNaarden.nl. For registration please follow the ONK Registration Page.