ORANJESTAD - The first Aruba Rembrandt Regatta took place on August 14 – 16, featuring three days of fun, action and competitions among yachts, beach catamarans and sunfish, complemented by nightly festivities at Café Rembrandt. The program included an around-the-island race for cruising and racing yachts. More than 37 sailing vessels and a host of national and international competitors signed up, ranging in age from 16-year-old Marc Rooijakkers of the Rafaga to 79-year-old Ernie Kervel of the Ocean 505.
Variable wind conditions created some exciting and hectic moments. From Curacao, the D-Trip of Sergey Boer was victorious in the Racing Class, finishing at just over 5-1/2 hours, while the Venus Callipyge of Hans van der Straaten took first in the Cruising Class. The Aruban captains, however, were strong competitors; the Tranquilo of Anthony Hagedoorn and the Eva Luna of Eric Mijts, regatta organizer, came in second overall in the two categories. Third place was taken by Team Ibis of Curacao’s Karel van Haren and Italy’s Paolo Grazzini with his Supermario and almost-all-female crew.
Sharing in the fun, Theo Valize took first place in beach cats; Ramon Kervel in sunfish. Windsurfers were out in full force as well; Amanda Westera in New Kids; Mack van der Eerenbeemt in Super Kids; and Nicole van der Velden in Pro Kids were the winners.
