“It was absolutely an exciting battle”, said Remco Kenbeek, who won the 29th Zwitserleven Round Texel Race on handicap. And not only for the overall victory, but also for the line honours. The surf and waves were calm this year, but the conditions were tricky with a variabale wind. It was a matter of patience, endurance, concentration, tactics and luck. Favourite crews forfeited their chances and others became unexpected heroes. Meanwhile, the crowd onshore enjoyed the sun and the competition, which was broadcasted live on a television screen on the Texel beach at Paal 17. They witnessed a close fought finish of Göran Marström and Thomas Persson (SWE).

On June 17th 2006 at noon, 436 catamarans lined up for the 29th edition of the Zwitserleven Round Texel Race. Nothing could go wrong with a light westerly breeze and a pretty flat North Sea. Thanks to title sponsor Zwitserleven the beach was fitted with easy red beach chairs, so people onshore were ready for the race as well. Most of the top teams chose the favoured beach side of the starting line or a little bit above it. As the helicopter spit the smoke over the fleet, the competitors were off towards the light house. The high tech carbon boats in front, followed by a number of top Formula 18-teams and at a distance the rest of the participants.

June 17, 2006 New Zealand skipper and America's Cup legend Russell Coutts crossed the finish line of the 68th Geneva Bol d'Or Rolex shortly before 2100 to take line honours. After some extraordinary close contact racing, keeping his crew of amateur doctors on their toes right until the last breath of wind, Coutts narrowly beat Philippe Cardis (Julius Baer), Loïck Peyron (Okalys) and Alain Gautier (Foncia.ch). At the entrance to the 'petit lac', just 5 miles from the finish, there were still four Decision 35 catamarans in the running for victory. From La Baule on France's Atlantic coast, Loïck Peyron was the first to come within sight of the line, driving hard down the French side of the lake under gennaker. At that point, Russell Coutts and Philippe Cardis were on the other side of the lake. Gybe after gybe, from wind pockets to wind holes, a different set of cards was dealt over and over again, the advantage changing ever few yards. Rooted to the helm, Coutts remained concentrated to the finish to ake victory on the last gybe.

Team Cuba Libra wins the Great Texas Race.

It is amazing how fast these guys are! Congrats to John and Tiffany.

Leaving now for the road trip back to So Cal. Read More for full results.

--Connie

June 17, 3:50pm - Team Chums I today gave up a lot of time helping Nautigear on the water after a rudder failure left them unable to manuver in this conditions well. I heard the Steve Piche said that the conditions today were rougher then ones he had on the Worrell. Team Chums I tried to assist them but was unable and stayed with them. At one point they sailed on further and made sure they kept them in site but then they pitchpoled. Team Chums returned to assist them and stayed with them the rest of the leg. More reflections later.. Connie

June 17, 3:30pm All teams are in... Team Cubra Libra hit the beach first on their Tiger, followed by TPR. Team Cubra Libra had a sizable lead on all the others. Team San Diego was the last to come in with a torn spinnaker and other boat problems after a violent pitchpole on the water. I herded up the Cats for a group shot and I will report more after the awards banquet tonight.

On a special note, we were all reminded today that all this racing is done on a big part for the fun and friendships. Steve Piche lost track of his daughter for way to long today and the guys formed a line in the water to search, the rest of us ran the beach. This is a big beach, goes on for miles, and everybody scattered to search. After about 15 min she was found quite a way down the beach and all was well. I think it shook us all and once again we are just are reminded that we are all one big family. Sail on... Connie

Remco Kenbeek and Paul Brouwer, sailing a F18 Capricorn, are the overall winners of the 29th Zwitserleven Round Texel. In a crowded party tent, they received their prizes from Chris Zegers on Saturday evening, June 17, 2006. It turned out, they were only forty seconds ahead of Hans Primowees, who rounded the isle single-handed with his 26-year-old Prindle. The F18 world champions, Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby (AUS) finished in third position with their Hobie Tiger.