On Wednesday 20th the first participant arrived at Brussels National Airport. Misses Hyu-Kyung Jang (KOR) was collected by one of the coaches of the Flemish Yachting Association (VYF) and dropped into the care of the staff of the Bloso Sportshotel. On Friday February 22 not les than 4 persons travelled a 5-6 hour jet-lag direction East to join the seminar: both instructors David Sprague (CAN) and Alex Finsterbusch (ARG), Tim (USA) and the event organiser Bruno De Wannemaeker who came back from a scouting trip in Bonaire.
Later that evening they where joined by Ioannis (GRE), Manfred (GER), UGO (FRA) and Philippe (BEL). All together we left for a guided tour in Old Ghent and had dinner in a typical Belgian restaurant named after the stolen panel of the painting "the adoration of the Lamb" by the Van Eyck Brothers: "de rechtvaardige rechters". A typical Belgian Beef Stew "Gentse Stoverij" and some local beers were much appreciated by all.
On Saturday morning we where joined by some more Belgians: Jean-Claude and Guido and a naturalised Dutch Multihull sailor Hans for the first 6 hours of the measurement seminar. Some general topics (measurement protests, rules, ERS,…) and some hands on measurement (sails) where discussed and much appreciated. In the evening the group was again welcomed by Trien and visited Bruges and had dinner (north sea shrimps and heilbot) in restaurant 't Putje. Bruges, the Venice of the North, is cold but beautiful at night !!
On Sunday the course continued with more theory and practice (making of Jigs) to conclude at 16.00 hours with a closing drink and Belgian Chocolates…..
Thanks again to the instructors, the hotel staff, the VYF and the organisation! We learnt a lot and acquired some new skills in measurement and made friends from all over the world. With 9 nationalities present this was truly an International seminar.