Courtesy of: Aruba Daily
ORANJESTAD – By winning all 3 races during the last competition day in Cancun, Mexico, Mack van den Eerenbeemt (15), qualified his country Aruba for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from August 16-24 in China this year. A total of 11 races were held from February 20-23.
The delegation from the United States was unbeatable during all 4 competition days. Host Mexico participated with 21 windsurfers but didn’t qualify. Also Canada, Cuba and Puerto Rico went home empty handed.
Aruba participated with a selection of the Wind Racers Club Aruba (WRCA) in two categories: Van den Eerenbeemt, with sail number ARU 11, and Steven Lageveen (ARU 888) in the ‘Techno 293′ class with 29 competitors. Lageveen reached the overall 8th position. Ethan Westera (ARU 4) was performing in the Youth RS:X class with 24 competitors. He became 9th.
Van den Eerenbeemt impressed the first day by winning the first 2 races. But with the decreasing wind conditions, his performances weakened and he dropped a few places in the rankings. Westera and Lageveen, who are also used to train with 20 knots or more in Aruba, didn’t perform well. Mexico took its advantage and caught up right away, by taking over the second position.
Windsurf Championships Van den Eerenbeemt: “On the last competition day, Mexico was just 1 point ahead of Aruba. But then the wind picked up to 13 knots. Just like the first day, when I won the first two races. I told myself: today you are going to win. And I won all three races. Because of these extra points we caught up with Mexico and got the qualification.”
The Aruba Sailing Association (ASA) is very proud of the results of the Aruban delegation. The federation extends its sincerest congratulations to the Aruban athletes, and in particular Mack van den Eerenbeemt with the result which was obtained in a relatively short preparation time. The federation also thanks the two coaches, Team Coach Jean-Pierre van den Eerenbeemt and the International Coach Marc van Santen, for their accompaniment and guidance.
Over the past months the ASA-board, in conjunction with WRCA, developed a strategic vision on Olympic Windsurfing for Aruba for the years 2014-2020. With the right preparation and policy, Aruba will have a good chance to perform at the Olympic level. The Championship in Cancun was an important learning experience for the athletes and coaches to this extent
The ASA and WRCA would like to thank the Aruban Sport Subsidy Committee for their financial contribution and for supporting the strategic vision.
