The Dutch are bringing plenty of silver and gold to this week’s 29erXX Downhill Skiff Cross showcased at the centre of Sail Amsterdam – the world’s largest sailing festival.    

Golden girl Marit Bouwmeester winner of Skandia’s Sail for Gold in Laser Radials, and Beijing Silver medallist in the Yngling Merel Witteveen will be sailing with reigning 29er and 29erXX European Champion Annemiek Bekkering to represent Team Netherlands. 

Sailors look forward to the “fun” and making a big splash for the expected 2 million tourists.  

Spectators are excited too, as sailing gains ground as an “extreme sport”.  Skandia’s 49er promo video featuring Team GBR accrued nearly 83,000 views since its release on YouTube two and half weeks ago.

“It’s a new way to make sailing more audience friendly.  We would like the 29erXX fleet to grow, so the dinghy will be on the Olympic program in 2016,”  sum up the Danish challengers, Europe’s top women’s 29er team of Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen.

Olympic sailors from all disciplines are ready for the 29erXX Downhill Skiff Cross: Bouwmeester steps in with Olympic teammate and 470 sailor Marieke Jongens.  Match Racers Suzanne Leiders Mijke Lievens are also looking forward to competing for the first time in the 29erXX, the potential new women’s Olympic class in 2016.