ARND FROM GERMANY
HIS DAY AT A GLIMPSE | As a licensed skipper of the committee boat, a typical race day begins very early, as he has to ensure that the catamaran is prepared on time. Usually there are other volunteers who have accommodation on board the previous night, and one never knows what conditions the boat and systems are in, so that needs to be checked. Particular attention needs to be paid to the electrics in general and especially the refrigeration for the lunch and cold drinks. The race equipment is checked (flags, boards, horns, etc.), the provisions need to be loaded and stored, and the crew corralled aboard and safety briefed. After a short trip out of the harbour and stationed at the start line he can slightly relax, since the Race Officer is in charge of the day. Arnd does whatever manoeuvre are required necessary until the day’s races are over and it’s time to return to the dock.
WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO KNOW | “The committee boat team has been a very cohesive and fun place to be. The fun of volunteering for a great event coupled with the people – volunteers, competitors and spectators alike – keep me coming back for the last 9 years – since 2012.”
HIS MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE | “That is a tough one, as each year has had ups and downs. Perhaps most stressful was when a large metal catamaran tacked unsuccessfully after crossing the finish line and drifted onto our mooring and catamaran. Luckily only the mooring was severed and neither boat was damaged significantly, but we had most of the fleet left to finish and I had to try to keep the big catamaran on station in relatively boisterous seas and winds for what seemed like half an eternity. Using transits on land to keep us in the same place we managed to finish all the remaining boats and I don’t think that they even noticed that anything had gone awry!”
