Astrid De Vin and Roeland Franssens started sailing together in 2019. Roeland has been sailing all his life on boats from J-Class and Swan 45 to Class 40, both full crewed and double handed (DH). Astrid had her first taste of DH sailing on a delivery for the North Sea Race, a race she has competed in since 2012. Like many it was Covid that ignited her love of DH sailing. In 2020, when sailing was not yet allowed at home, they sailed from Breskens to Cowes to do the RORC Round the Island race then sailed back home, all without coming ashore! They started out in a JPK 11.80, but wanting to join the UK Doublehanded Offshore Series (UKDHOS) they needed a lower rated boat, so they swopped to their JPK 10.30, a decision they are very happy with.
Their results have improved every year. 2025 titles include: Winning the DH division of the Royal Cornwall Celtic Triangle race, Winning the Masters category in UKDHOS and coming fourth overall. Rolex Fastnet was a very tense finish; they were 10th in IRC3 and the 2nd JPK 10.30 over the line (from 16 boats). Finishing 7th in the IRC DH Europeans was way beyond their expectations.
Secrets of Success
So, what are the secrets of their success? Well, they have been continually optimising the boat set up and speed, with their intense racing schedule they have really got to know the boat. They have also been able to spend more time in Hamble between races, rather than travelling for each race, so have felt more relaxed and prepared going into the races. Astrid loves double handed sailing as it’s all round personally more challenging, there’s everything from tactical decisions, trimming sails and all the practical elements to running a boat offshore. Although she misses her friends from her fully crewed racing days on a GS43, she was ready for this new chapter.
One of Astrid’s favourite events this year was the Royal Cornwall Celtic Triangle race (Falmouth – Kinsale – Tréguier). This historic short handed race was started in 1984 and ran successfully until 2018, but after Covid cancelled the 2020 edition interest declined. Both the UKDHOS and the Solo Offshore racing club supported its resurrection, knowing members were looking for an offshore race with more social and an opportunity to visit new destinations. Astrid said:
‘After two seasons of RORC races starting and finishing in Hamble, we hardly got to know any other sailors. This event made up for it, such a great vibe, three lively harbour cities (with culinary treats), the interaction between racers and cruisers was great and the fantastic race committee was the cherry on the cake. What a great atmosphere!’
The race will run again June 2026 and then biannually to offset it from the Fastnet and Azores and Back races.
Double handed racing had been growing in the Netherlands, the first National Championship was 2015 and ORC European DH Championship 2017. Unfortunately, though the DH class is now dwindling. Except for the North Sea Regatta (Vuurschepen race and the North Sea race), the main events on the North Sea don’t have a DH class anymore. Even the 100 Miles race from Scheveningen, which used to host the DH Nationals, doesn’t have enough DH entries. This means the more dedicated short handed racing teams find their races elsewhere around the world.
The most popular events are one day, around the cans racing which attractive large numbers of fully crewed boats, there are healthy youth pathways with some good initiatives for Dutch youngsters to get sailing. Programmes like DutchSail, Team Heiner Academy, Rotterdam Offshore Sailing Team, Sailing School Hans Bouscholte will be joined in 2026 by Jelmer van Beek racing in a VO65. These programmes are focused on team racing, but also generate short handed sailors who pop up on the shorthanded courses and even in the IMOCA.
The next DH challenge for Astrid and Roeland is the ARC, not on Il Corvo but on their new DH performance cruiser, a Pegasus 50. As well as cruising in the Caribbean sunshine they also plan to race the Caribbean 600 and BVI Spring Regatta. In April they will return to Europe for the ORC DH Worlds in Scheveningen and the 2026 season of the UKDHOS.
Words by: Kate Cope
Image credits: Paul Wyeth
UK Double Handed Offshore Series
The UK Double Handed Offshore Series is for professionals, amateurs, Olympic hopefuls and young and up and coming talent looking to make a name for themselves. An IRC series for all boats that are sailed double handed with a rating between 0.857 and a rating up to 1.060 TCC. The aim of the UK Double Handed Offshore Series is to cherry pick the best Double Handed Offshore Races on offer each year and combine them into one season long series.
www.doublehandedoffshore.com
