Sailing Sports Section
International Sailing Competition
The Europol “Coppers Cup” - Netherlands September 2005
By Inspector David Hayes
The 9th “Europol “Coppers Cup” International Sailing Regatta was held at the Dutch National Regatta centre of Medemblik on the Isjlmeer Sea from Saturday, 17th September to Friday, 23rd September. The competition is open to all forces across Europe and this year 30 teams raced against each other. England had 4 qualifying teams, one from Lancashire’s Northern Division. The others were from Dorset, Hampshire and Customs and Excise.
Europol host the event and arranged for a fleet of fairly closely matched 32 to 36 foot long Bavaria yachts to be used by the teams. The teams arrived at Lemmer on Saturday and drew lots for which yacht they would be racing for the week. The Lancashire boat was named “Turtle”, one of the heavier 36 foot yachts. They then had a few hours on Saturday to familiarise themselves with the set up of the boats and stow their bags on board. Although the first job was to hoist the Constabulary flag on the forestay of their boat – is this the first time the flag has flown in Europe?
Dave Hayes at the helm
On Sunday, Skipper Dave Hayes and crew, Dave Tuer, Mick Baines, Neil Esseen and Carole Hayes’ first race was the practice race from the yacht charter centre of Lemmer, 17 miles across the inland sea to the regatta centre. Excellent winds gave good boat speed, although a late start gave the other boats a 5minute lead and left Lancashire playing catch up for the day but they managed to overhaul half the fleet before the finish.
That evening a reception was hosted by the head of the Dutch National Police force to welcome the competitors from across Europe, a special welcome was extended to the New South Wales Police team who had flown half way round the world to compete. They were deemed honorary Europeans, if for no other reason than the effort they put in to reach the competition.
On the following day a sail past of the Committee vessels was held to honour the heads of the Dutch National Police Force, Europol and the Mayor of Medemblik, all of whom provided considerable sponsorship to the event.
The team (From the left) DI Neil Eseen, Insp Dave Tuer,
PS Nick Baines, Carole and Dave Hayes
Racing started in earnest on Monday with 2, three hour Olympic course races held. The weather provided light winds that lead to some intense technical sailing as each team strove to gain speed from each breath of wind. A very high standard of sailing was shown by all teams with some really close sailing on the start line and around the turning marks. The 6-ton yachts were regularly racing within a couple of feet of each other.
Similar action followed on Tuesday, although on Wednesday the wind dropped altogether and the races were cancelled after waiting for wind until noon. That afternoon our team took the opportunity to motor to other ports on the sea for some sightseeing before returning for an evening of traditional Dutch food and drink at the regatta centre.
The winds returned on Thursday, still very light, but allowing three 2 1/2hour races to take place. Again close sailing was the order of the day. Excellent use of the spinnaker, with hoists and drops very close to the turning marks, together with some tight upwind sailing allowed the Lancashire team to work their way through the fleet to gain valuable places.
Occasional collisions and rule infringements did occur but such was the spirit of the event that few official protests were registered, apologies being proffered later in the bar over a beer.
Race in progress
The Lancashire team got better and better as the week wore on and were extremely pleased at the Thursday night presentation, hosted by the head of Europol, when they were told that they had come 9th out of the 30 teams, beating all the other teams from the UK, Northern Ireland and Eire.
Sadly, a review of the handicapping system later dropped the team down to 14th but still a very creditable performance against some very good sailors, beating all but one of the UK and Ireland teams. The winning team, by some distance, came from Schleswig Holstein, Germany, followed by the local team from the Amsterdam Water Police. Third were a Swedish team from Lidköping.
As for the Aussie’s, they just beat the Lancashire team, although were reminded repeatedly of the cricket and rugby scores!
Time for a good British cuppa....
Throughout the entire event the camaraderie between the forces was fantastic with gifts being presented by each force as mementos of the event and links forged across Europe.
The effort, resources and commitment put into the event was amazing, giving some indication of the prestige and value that both Europol and the Dutch place on an event that brings together so many European forces for both competition and friendship.
Whilst the team paid for the event themselves they would like to thank the Sports and Social Club for assisting with the cost of the flights from Liverpool to Schipol.
....and a Celebratory Grolsh with the Dutch hosts
Picture Gallery
Dutch police motor launch
Lancon Flag
The Lancashire Team make good progress leaving many of the other competitors well behind
