Round Texel 2026

From NED F18 – all pictures by Laurens Morel

Historic background

In recent years, the organizers of the Ronde om Texel have listened closely to the sailors. The course was clear and well‑marked, and explanations were provided in several languages for sailors participating for the first time. This made the legendary round through the treacherous seas around the island accessible even to beginners (first rounders) and to international participants. A total of 249 catamarans took part, coming from various countries – even from far outside Europe – and together with the windsurfers (32) and wingfoilers (91), it was a spectacular sight.

Novelties of the year

A special addition this year was the new program launched by the organization ahead of the race. On Thursday and Friday, participants could register for innovative events such as a short speed marathon, sprint races, and a speed challenge. Unfortunately, these could not take place due to strong winds, but they will be back on the schedule next year.

The racing

Every edition of the Ronde om Texel brings surprises, and this year’s race was full of them. The days leading up to the event were turbulent, but on Saturday the wind was perfect. The latest forecasts predicted up to 18 knots from SSE over the Wadden Sea – a direction that rarely occurs – with possible gusts up to 25 knots in showers. On the North Sea right after the start, the wind came over land and was gusty, allowing participants to sail almost directly toward the lighthouse on the island’s northern tip on a fast gennaker reach. Father and son Noordzij had excellent speed in these conditions and positioned themselves at the front of the F18 lead group, together with Van Dam / Van Dam, Kenbeek / Taselaar, Huntelman / Calis, and De Bruijne / De Boer. The Becker brothers chose to capsize on this leg and lost contact with the group.

Crossing shallow waters

Through the sea inlet toward the VC turning point mark on the Wadden Sea, the water quickly became shallower and the channel narrower. Because of the unusual wind direction, tacking was required. Only a few managed to avoid hitting the sand with daggerboard or rudder. Noordzij: “We ran aground on a sandbank on the north side of the channel. We hit so hard that our leeward daggerboard got stuck, and we were afraid we were drawing too much to make it past the VC. We decided to take the risk anyway, and miraculously we stayed clear afterward, allowing us to continue the chase after the VC mark with relief.” The 20‑footers had an even harder time with their deep rudders and foils. All the more impressive that De Haas / Grijpma, sailing their Nacra Carbon FCS, made it through unscathed and led the fleet after the VC turning point, eventually taking line honours.

Towards the finish

The long leg along the Wadden side of the island initially seemed just sailable on port tack, but due to the forecasted veering wind, it also became a tacking leg. Showers caused large differences in pressure and wind direction, and the top five F18s frequently exchanged positions – first with an advantage for the boats close to shore, later for those slightly farther out at sea. At the final gate, Kenbeek / Taselaar were the first to head back out through the inlet, closely followed by Noordzij / Noordzij, Van Dam / Van Dam, and De Bruijne / De Boer. The gennakers went up quickly, and it became a downwind gybing course toward the finish. Noordzij: “At that moment we thought the race would come our way, because earlier on the North Sea we had been very fast downwind. But the wind dropped, and with our setup for strong wind we couldn’t keep up with the boats around us. After also spending some time stuck on a breakwater, we finished as 4th F18 (and overall).”

A new win for the Van Dams

Van Dam / Van Dam once again showed their light‑wind skills and took the victory, followed by Kenbeek / Taselaar and De Bruijne / De Boer. Winner Hans van Dam: “Round Texel 2026 had everything in it. Every point of sail was included, and with the various showers the wind strength ranged from strong to light, including significant wind shifts. We also touched the ground once on the way to the VC buoy, but fortunately we got free again quickly. We are proud to have finished the Ronde van Texel as winners under all these challenging conditions.”Thorin Zeilmaker, a former winner, was the best single‑handed cat sailor with his Hobie 14.

Happy Club Sailors

Results:

• Catamaran: https://scoring.winterwave.nl/results/total/2/594f40bc
• Wingfoil: https://scoring.winterwave.nl/results/total/2/364d0944
• Windsurf: https://scoring.winterwave.nl/results/total/2/f1cccee7