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No Jupp at the windward mark 4.2 (5)

Just before sunrise, on Monday, October 26, the FD Class lost one of the most senior members as Jupp Wanders (82) from Germany passed away.

Jupp gone?

Never again GER 139

Unimaginable.

Jupp was a crossborder sailor. Being raised in a small village about 10 miles from the Dutch-German border, he spoke the language of the neighbouring country fluently. He started sailing in the sixties on lakes that the Dutch took from the sea.

Jupp was a war child, working hard, being an architect, and living sober. As a small boy he already experienced the hardships of life, as a refugee, having to flee with his parents when the Allied forces entered Germany in 1945.

At the end of the sixties he bought his first Flying Dutchman. Soon he was a familiar face in the Dutch FD family. That way he became a member of the famous Royal Loosdrecht Yacht Club, the cradle of the Flying Dutchman.

That way he embodied the after war ideals of FD founding father Coen Gulcher: a boat that brings people together internationally, getting to know each others culture by sportmanship, friendship and socializing.

Jupp fitted in that ideal. Always being helpful and encouraging after your fifth capsize or a broken mast: “Come on, get up and let’s share a beer.”

Bringing sailors together.

Jupp did that when he invited the Dutch FD sailors to come to Germany and sail on a small lake near Xanten, half an hour from where he was living. It became a famous yearly event. And Jupp took care to transform his house into a Flying Dutchman hotel. Matresses and sleeping bags in all corners and in the living. Five star service: breakfast, royal dinner, a beer tap and an abundance of drinks.

Being in competition with Jupp often during races, I later became his crew. Together we were proving that two helmsmen in one FD can work out well, as long as one of them is the captain.

That way Jupp became a life long friend.

Even in winter we went for the water. On frozen surface, on our skates, doing tours of 80 kilometres on canals in the famous Dutch windmill area.

No Jupp at the windward mark anymore.

Gone!

Makes the horizon a little empy.

Let’s watch the waves, cherish the warm memorie. Let’s stick to Jupp’s all time mottos: “Come, keep your head in the wind.”

Paul de Schipper

Photo: Caroline Kramer (Loosdrecht)

Thijs Rutten 5 (2)

Saturday night, August 8, shortly before midnight our Honorary member and especially sailing friend Thijs Rutten passed away. Thijs was in hospital for a short time and fell asleep peacefully after a short illness. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Thijs, who has been a FD member since 1987, mainly sailed both national and international regattas with his brother Theo. Whether it was a regatta around the corner or on the other side of the world: they were there. Thijs was always there for everyone and has been the race secretary of our Dutch class for years. He enjoyed both racing on the water and the fun on the shore. Especially in heavier weather Thijs and Theo were in their element.

Raised in a large family, the brothers noticed a Hornet sailing on the water. Deeply impressed, the plan arose to sail one as well. They learned to sail in the Hornet by trial and error. They have sailed many races in the Hornet. After these experiences, the switch to the FD was a piece of cake. In the (at that moment) Olympic class Thijs and Theo were a striking appearance. Because their hearts were in the right place and their no-nonsense approach, they quickly became loved by everyone, also in the international field. Until shortly before his death, Thijs could enjoy all the stories and good memories. And if he could, he was happy to visit the regattas to lend a helping hand if necessary.

What a beautiful person we have lost! Character! …. especially in the Dutch FD…. And what a lot he has done for us.

Dear Thijs rest in peace.

 

Dutch and Italian Nationals – Results 0 (0)

Congratulations to Dutch/Austrian crew Enno Kramer and Christoph Zingerle winning the Dutch Nationals in Horn! Here are the overall results.

At the same weekend the Italian Class was racing their Nationals in Porto San Giorgio. Congratulations to Nicola and Francesco Vespasiani the new Italian National FD Champions. Here are nice photos  from the regatta and the overall results. MARC Ger172

North Sea Regatta 2015 (NED) 0 (0)

Ronald Stalman just forwarded this news: Due to budget reasons the North Sea regatta is skipped for 2015. MARC GER172

dutch nationals will be extraordinary 0 (0)

After their annual meeting the Dutch board invites all of you to sail the Open Dutch Championship on Sneekermeer to join the 60th anniversary party of the NFDO …….. Spread the word and the flyer and help us promote the FD in the best possible way in the Netherlands.   OKK 2014 promo printversie