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After a black episode in the seventh leg to Portsmouth and a snail-like race to Rotterdam, the Volvo Open 70’s finally arrived in the Netherlands. It was like finishing in the southern hemisphere with lots of sun and spectator boats. The crowd cheered for the brave sailors, as they were heading for the dock in the Veerhaven. The streets were orange coloured. Not because of a Dutch team winning the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06, ABN AMRO One, but because of our national team playing in the Soccer World Cup.

Nautique asked me to write a report on the inport-race and to collect quotes from unique participants. It will be published in the coming issue.