Racing as it should be
In the Netherlands the Dutch Star Class has 3 Fleets in total, the Holland fleet (Hol) since 1978, the Loosdrecht fleet (LO) since 1986, and the Medemblik fleet (Med) since 1998. The diversity of fleets date from the time that every single fleet was able to send a delegation to Silver and Gold Star events. And eventually to be able to go to the Olympics.
It all started with the Dutch brothers Bob and Jan Maas. They were the first who participated at the Olympics in 1932 in Los Angeles. Bob Maas also sailed the Olympics in 1936. And in 1948 he won a Bronz medal with Eddy Stutterheim. Bob Maas became a Dutch icon and inspiration for many other Dutch Star sailors. He was not only representing the Netherlands but also, as a member, The Royal Yacht Club in Loosdrecht and the Royal Yacht Club in Muiden.
The Dutch fleet still has a base at The Royal Yacht Club in Loosdrecht and The Royal Yacht Club in Muiden. Since the current active fleet has about 20 Stars. The Dutch fleet makes a yearly program of several national and international regattas. The season starts at the lake in Loosdrecht, with the International Eastern Regatta and Tulip Race. After this event the whole fleet moves to more open water in Muiden. Just a 30-minute drive, lying next to Amsterdam. At the KNR&ZV we have several regattas like our National Championship. And offcource the BIG(3) SERIES in cooperation with our German friends. Or we are going aboard for the other BIG(3) SERIES and the Silver/Gold Star events. At the end of the season the whole fleet is going back to Loosdrecht, for the Boerenkool Cup and the Winter Series. That is how the Dutch fleet is “Honoring the past, leading the future”.
