The 2024 Duvel Open Belgian National Championship happened in Ostend between the 5th and 7th July racing two days out of three and concluding 6 races. A sunny lay day on Saturday, with extra strong winds gusting up to 40 knots, allowed the participants to enjoy Ostend’s seaside beauty and take a short trip to Brugge for a bit of touristic experience.
The Nationals concluded with outstanding performances, especially from the UK teams who dominated the weekend in top 5 and the overall podium. The event, organised by the Royal North Sea Yacht Club (RNSYC), saw intense competition and excellent sailing conditions from 15 to 20-25 knots for 23-strong fleet. The mighty current, that Ostend is famous for, was in opposite direction of the wind in some races. It gave lots of short waves making sailing to the windward mark a hard work, especially for the light-weight and young teams. Downwinds were speedy and fun with the classic SB20 planing conditions when changes in the leader often happened. Choosing the correct side of the course and keeping the boat handling at the top level was key, allowing no mistakes. John Pollard and his team have nailed this tricky racing, winning three races out of six and staying in the top three.
Podium results of the Open Belgian Nationals:
• Team Xcellent (UK): John Pollard, Henry Wetherell, Drew Barnes
• Team Breaking Bod (UK): Charles Whelan, Richard McAdam, Will Sargent
• Team Buitenhuis Advies (NL): Martijn Buitenhuis, Frank Dobbels, Lennard Bal
Top Belgian team Go with the Flow of Bart Tytgat, Marc Braet and Kristof Woutters have achieved the 4th place overall sailing at the top of the fleet most of races. Sunday’s conditions mirrored Friday’s, with challenging winds and currents. Despite tough competition, Tytgat’s team was thrilled to secure a first place in Race 5.
Strong performance from a number of Dutch teams – MXTC, GT Yacht brokers, Kesbeke and Skipjack, all sailing at the top of the fleet. However, it was Martijn Buitenhuis and his team who were the most consistent to close the podium.
Charles Whelan remembers: “Richard McAdam and I won with event way back in 2009 when we picked up the Belgian, Dutch and German Nationals in a single event! The weather then was the similar to this year but a touch windier and bigger waves and 15 years later we were still grinning. We have tried to return since 2020, but lockdowns and commitments with kids kept us away – thankfully we made it for 2024! This time with young superstar Will Sargent (AUS) joining us in the middle of the boat.”
Growing Belgian Fleet and Challenging Conditions
Since last year the Belgian fleet has expanded to 14 boats, preparing for the 2025 SB20 Europeans in Ostend on 18th – 22nd August. This year’s event welcomed a large Dutch fleet with 8 teams, most from the top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Worlds in Scheveningen, and four UK teams raising the competition level significantly.
Bart Tytgat commented: “It was clear that serious sailing could be expected in Ostend this year. The small harbour entrance and the yacht club’s position allows us to have a short sailing time from dock to the startline. Wind conditions of 5 to 6bf and significant current made it not easy, but great fun in the downwinds.”
Friday’s races saw mixed fortunes for Bart’s team, with a 4th result in races 1 and 2 but a setback in race 3 due to a broach and a broken tiller extension. “It was clear that the Belgian level has to go up, if we want to compete with the top UK and Dutch boats. Nobody can make a mistake without losing some places,” – Bart concluded.
Sailing Betties and the enthusiasm for the future
Since last year the RNSYC together with the local SB20 team have launched the Sailing betties campaign for female sailors allowing them to compete in the SB20 Class and get training. Sponsored by a number of companies the Betties sail on rotation and look forward to improving their skills.
The 2023 SB20 world champion Will Sargent trained the Betties after the Worlds in 2023 and a week before this year’s Nationals together with Belgian Laser World champion Simon de Gendt.
“I always really enjoy coming to Coach the Sailing Bettie’s in Oostende. Everytime I come back to coach them their level gets higher and higher. The group is always very open and enthusiastic to learning new things and I can’t wait to continue watching the girls get higher and higher up the SB20 fleet,” – said Will Sargent.
Lay day saw the Betties organise a fun quiz for everyone with tricky questions and cool prizes. Dutch team Manta stole the show performing “Sweet Caroline” and “Barbie girl” songs in response to the quiz questions, making them the overall quiz winners and getting nice prizes from Duvel.
Bart comments: “As probably the oldest team in the field, we are very happy to see so many young teams in the fleet. We can assure everybody that RNSYC will organize an event not to miss in 2025.”
Charles Whelan shared his excitement, “It was great to come back to Oostend for the Belgian nationals, one of our favourite venues on the circuit. We could not match John Pollard and his team’s consistency and they are deserved winners. We can’t wait to come back for the Europeans next summer – It will be an epic event!”
Cedric De Bleye, representing the hosting RNSYC and the Belgian SB20 fleet, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success. “As a long-time SB20 sailor and organiser of our Belgian nationals, I cannot be happier about last edition. Together with our neighbours and friends of the Dutch SB20 Class we managed to get the UK fleet onboard again, resulting in a 20+ boats event. We only saw happy sailors leaving home last Sunday. All ingredients are in place for a top event next year!”
Grand finale with every team winning a prize
At the prize giving ceremony all the participating teams were rewarded with Duvel beer to celebrate their efforts and remember the thrilling races in Ostend. A special thanks goes out to the RNSYC, the Race Committee, PRO Dirk Sledsens, the jury, and all staff and volunteers who contributed to making this event a success.
With a competitive spirit and growing participation, the Open Belgian National Championship 2024 has set the stage for an exciting 2025 Europeans in Ostend. Congratulations to all teams and see you next year!
Text & images © Anna Zyk
Prize giving photos – courtesy of RNSYC