MR360° EXCLUSIVE LELYSTAD
LELYSTAD READY TO JOIN THE BIG LEAGUE
Lelystad is the largest municipality in the Netherlands, but a large part of that area is water and as such, it comes as to no surprise that sailing is in the residents’ genes. With approximately 3,000 berthing places, Lelystad is the biggest marina in the Netherlands. Bataviahaven (Batavia Harbor) was built and specially designed to be able to host large nautical events such as boat shows and sailing competitions. With the infrastructure already in place,
it would make perfect sense if Lelystad placed a bid to become a host venue on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT). Having already hosted various world
and European sailing championships and international events like the Batavia Regatta, the venue has always been earmarked as the site for sailing if the Netherlands win the bid to host the 2028 Olympics.
38 MR360° May 2012 “To be frank, Bataviahaven and the
surrounding area are made for an event like the Alpari World Match Racing Tour or any other big sailing event,” said Joop Van Diest, who is the chairman of the Bataviahaven as well as the chairman of Dutch Match Cup BV.” “Lelystad presents itself as the capital of
the sport of sailing in the Netherlands and with reason. Located near Amsterdam, the city and its harbour Bataviahaven offers the perfect venue for an event like this.” “With the prevailing winds (southwest)
it will be a man-made theatre for spectacular racing. Spectators can get close to the sailing, the area is compact and there is a lot of space for extra facilities on shore.” “All the infrastructure is already there.
We could host it next week if we wanted. But we are not looking just to host a sailing event. We are looking for a long term partnership to be able to create a legacy.”
Van Diest added that the city can handle
the challenges of hosting a premier event like the AWMRT, particularly after enduring the challenge of reclaiming land from the sea. “Another advantage is that the whole
event would take place in a compact area with a lot of possibilities for hospitality and corporate activities. Sailors will stay at the venue during the whole event,” explained Van Diest. Even the airport in Lelystad is near the
harbour. It will create an atmosphere of a small temporary village specially created for a sailing event. Lots of spectators will visit the races with their own boats; all berthing places will be full. To be short: Bataviahaven is specially
made for an event like the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW: An aerial view of the arena where boats will do battle in Lelystad.
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