As you may recall from the blog ‘Winning ways‘ at the weekend, the CLAFIS Victron Energy solar boat team were doing well in the provisional results, but it was uncertain if they would actually retain the championship. However as you can see from the headline image they did it – world solar boat champions!

Here’s a round up of the week’s events direct from the team, after a week of solar racing from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden.

John Rushworth

From the CLAFIS Victron Energy solar boat team

“It was an exciting week with setbacks and bad luck which threatened our chance of successfully defending the championship – making that possibility seem quite remote. Halfway through the week we were in 2nd place in the standings. Our biggest competitor at that point was the TU Delft Solar Boat Team, who had developed a very competitive boat with speeds very close to ours.

The last stage from Grou to Leeuwarden was the most exciting stage, which we really wanted to win. The strategy for the day proved decisive, because the sun was forecast to disappear and the last 30 km would likely be covered in the rain. Accurate estimates of the weather and the best strategy is ultimately decided by the solar harvested and battery capacity. We got it right – flying across the finish line in Leeuwarden at 40 kilometres per hour and grabbing the world title in the process!

In addition to this we also won the sprint championship by being fastest in the stages.

We want to thank all the sponsors for the opportunity to participate in this race.

The team and our boat are currently on the way to Monaco to defend the championship title at the Monte-Carlo Cup 2016, based at the Monaco Yacht Club.

You can follow us on Facebook for updates from Monaco.

Thanks,

CLAFIS Victron Energy solar boat team”