MPM 2010

MPM#19: NOVEMBER 6th and 7th 2010

Welcome!

All oarsmen and oarswomen are welcome to the 19th edition of MPM, Holland’s best yearly sloop rowing event, which takes place at the venue of the Royal Dutch Sail- and Rowing Association (KNZR) in Muiden

In 19 years the MPM regatta developed into an inspiring and appealing gathering of open water rowing teams from the Netherlands and from abroad. For many teams in offshore rowing boats, MPM is the end of their rowing season, whereas for many men and women in gigs, MPM marks the beginning of a new training effort for the championships on the Scilly Isles in the next spring.

Teams from outside Holland are invited to participate and share in the atmosphere that combines sportsmanship and plain fun. All rowers, male and female, will enjoy together with the population of Muiden two days of spectacular rowing on the open waters of the IJsselmeer. The isle of Pampus is rounded twice on Saturday and once on Sunday, traditionally followed by a spectacular party, equalled by the one on Sunday.

The organisation of the annual MPM regatta is a unique joint venture of the local entrepreneurs in Muiden and the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, KNZ&RV. The yacht club is situated on the mouth of the river Vecht on the south coast of the IJsselmeer directly in front of the 14th century ‘Muiderslot’ castle. The town of Muiden lays approximately 15 miles South East of Amsterdam.

Please find enclosed information about accommodation at traditional sailingbarges; located in the harbour where the races are being held.

Come in the first weekend of November 2010 to the venue in Muiden and take the opportunity to join us in the 19th edition of MPM. You won’t regret it.

USEFUL TO KNOW

Sleeping arrangements

The event lasts for two days. If you’re looking for a place to stay, check the Hollands Glorie site www.hollandsglorie.nl. They have several sleeping boats in the Muiden harbour.

Contact details:
Liesbeth Wammes – de Graaf
Tel:  0031 –294 – 271 561 or 0031 – 10 – 415 66 00
E-mail: liesbeth@hollandsglorie.nl

Rules and regulations

As the MPM is for the duration of two days, we request competitors to participate both days. Because of the long waiting list, starting this year we will keep records of the now-shows on Sunday, which will be of influence on entering the race next year.

A maximum of 120 sloops (men/women) can take part. For now there is no limit to the amount of gigs entering the race.

This year there will be no entrance fee for the event for all teams from abroad.

There is limited space in the Muiden harbour. We therefore need to know in advance if your team is accompanied by a support boat and/or sleeping boat, it’s exact size and date of arrival. Failing to inform us can result in refusal of entrance into the harbour.

Exchange prizes will no longer be physically presented as getting them returned recurrently leads to problems. Instead each team member will receive a medal, and the exchange prize ….

CO-WORKERS

Without co-workers there is no MPM. Each year approximately 40 men and women give their all to turn the event yet again  into a success. Their weekend often starts with preparations on Friday afternoon, and ends with cleaning up on Monday. For most of them the days of competition start around 06:00 pm with a quick breakfast, and then up and away to lay out the buoys, getting the tent ready, making coffee and tea, etc. But the fact that it is a constant group of volunteers shows what a great weekend it always is, and the pleasure with which they take part in the organization. Tot a lot of them Monday feels like a black hole. And that’s saying something!

Every year we pay special attention to a co-worker. They really deserve this. This year we unanimously chose Brian Phillips, the English photographer who joined an English gig-team as a crazed reporter a long time ago, and hasn’t missed a year since. Nowadays without a gig-team no less.

REGISTER

You can register your team for the MPM-race on the website.
For more information, please contact  sb@clavaux.net

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6^th

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7^th