This afternoon, the giant race monsters will face their first trial of strength. The speculations are full on in the Pit lane. Is it going to be the extra wide M20 with straight or curved dagger boards, with or without jib, with small or big rig? Or will the heavier Nacra 20 carbon with curved boards be quicker in these windy conditions?

Herbert Dercksen (NED) and Ed Barney (GBR) will join in again with their extra wide M20, with curved boards and a Tornado rig. Barney: "It is a lot colder than on Wednesday and the wind direction is better.” The breeze shifted to the north-northwest, which is almost onshore. "That means a reach down at this side of the island and the kite up on the Wadden Sea along the other side.” The other day, it was obvious that they pointed less high than William Sunnucks and Oli Egan on a M20 large with normal boards. According to Barney, that was more a matter of practice than equipment: "We haven’t sailed much on this boat as a team, so we are still learning. We were out there yesterday for the Dutch Open and we were already pointing a lot better.”

Wide, normal boards and no jib

Remco Kenbeek and Paul Buyse have almost the same set-up, but with conventional boards and without jib. Buyse: "This record attempt is going to be our first sail on the wide M20, so we have enough challenges to get used to. We are not sure about the positions of the curved boards yet, so we stick to the old ones. We believe that in the stronger sailing conditions, it is not beneficial to have curved boards. They need to be pulled out a bit, in order to prevent the boat from flying backwards.” They are the only ones that won’t hoist a jib. "That is because of a better handicap”, says Buyse. Buyse explains the reason why they are using a small rig: "That is exactly like the windsurfers do. The race a smaller sail if it blows. We use the bigger M20 rig up to wind force 4,5.”

Ideal test for Nacra 20 caron

This morning, the Bouscholte brothers prepared their boat for a rough TNG Round Texel Record attempt. It is their first battle with the M20’s. Hans Bouscholte: "We know nothing about our performance in comparison to the M20, so it is going to be interesting.” His brother Ronald adds: "It is a good test to get to know our eventual shortcomings, so we can do something about it for tomorrow.” Hans thinks the extra weight will help them in the heavier circumstances: "And the Nacra 20 carbon is easier to sail.” Sail maker Peter Vink (NED) considers the brothers as serious favourites: "The M20’s have been torn from their context. The pentex Tornado mainsail is not stable enough for that width. I am very curious what will happen.”

The F18’s have started their TNG Round Texel Record attempt and the M20’s will commence at about 1 pm.