On the Westeinderplassen in Aalsmeer, the third act of the Eredivisie Sailing (the Dutch J/70 National Sailing League) took place over a weekend of sailing on the lake for the 15 teams from across the Netherlands. A variable wind forced the Race Committee to change the course in almost every race to make a fair race possible. Leading after the first day with three straight bullets was WV Almere Centraal. Day two was set to start on time at 0900 hours, however sailing was postponed due to a lack of wind. By midday, the breeze filled in, and the Race Committee managed to run 12 more races, bringing the total number of races to 21. It was an exciting day on the water. For a long time, WV Almere Centraal seemed to hold their lead firmly, but in the last race they finished last and eventually fell to second place on the leaderboard. Jachtclub Scheveningen managed to pass the reigning champion with a few victories and a second place. Behind them, three teams were tied on 16 points each: WV Almere Centraal, RR&ZV Maas & Roer (Roermond) and the SHE SAILS team sailing for the International Yacht Club Amsterdam. The last day saw battles all over the race course, and it was never clear until the last flight and set of races when the winner was determined. Sunday started just like the previous two days: a weak variable wind that forced the 15 teams to wait. Around 11:30, the first race could be started. Nine races were squeezed out, where sailing team VWDTP managed to win three times in a row. The Amsterdam SHE SAILS were on the same course, but left precious points in their last race and thus lost the highest step on the podium. Almere Central managed to keep up after a restless Saturday with varying results and eventually became overall third. SHE SAILS ended up tied on points at 21 points each with VW De Twee Provincien, losing the tie-breaker on the countback based on most firsts. Third place went to the defending Dutch J/70 Sailing League champions WV Almere Centraal with 22 points. The balance of the top five was also determined on a tie-breaker on 23 points each, with WV De Meeuwen (Leeuwarden) taking fourth and Jachtclub Scheveningen finishing fifth. As a result of the Aalsmeer regatta, WV Almere Centraal continues to lead the overall standings after three events with a total of 56 points (low point scoring, all races count). Just one point back in second is RR&ZV Maas & Roermond, and sitting in third is Jachtclub Scheveningen with 58 points. For more Dutch J/70 Sailing League information, visit http://eredivisiezeilen.nl/.

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