From the left (in boats): Cryptic (Dolphin Moth), Neil (Bandit IF), Rulette (Bandit IF), Ulla (Patchogue II), Carlota (Bandit IF), Jackson (Bandit IF), Lucy (Melges-24), Asami and Kurt (Teleri MX 20), and Kristaly (Melges-24).
On the dock: Nenrio, Kayla, Dean, Merco, Rose, Petra and Peachie.
The first North Sea Open Regatta of the year featured a nice turnout, really great racing, and smooth sim weather. We had a nice turnout with a large fleet for both races. The racing was fast and competitive as several crossed the line within seconds of each other during the first race. Plus, the sims behaved well as we only had one DNF recorded for both races, due to a crash. We also had a nice gathering of spectators at the committee boat dock, in the Breadnut region, as well as nice crowds along the beach in the Eden Albatros region, on the Poseidon Centre Spectator Pier in the Eden Puffin region, and along the shores of Lighthouse Isle in the Ziziphus region.
The small boat fleet, racing on the NS-SOL-13A course, was made up of a majority of five Bandit IFs. Two Shields Class, two Melges-24s, a Ktaba 20 MX Teleri, a Trudeau Patchogue II, and a Dolphin Moth made up the remainder of the small boat fleet. Racing got off to a nice start with Kristaly, in her Melges-24, crossing the start line first at 00:00:02. I followed Kristaly, in my Dolphin Moth, as I crossed the line next at 00:00:07. Carlota, in her Bandit IF, was right on my stern, crossing the line at 00:00:12. Jackson, in his Bandit IF, was next to cross the line at 00:00:23. Lucy, in her Melges-24, was across the start line next at 00:00:24. Neil, in his Bandit IF, and Rulette, in her Bandit IF, were both next across the start line, at 00:00:34 and 00:00:35 respectively. Circular, in her Shields Class, was across the start line next at 00:01:04 with Moon, in his Shields Class, and Dess, in her Bandit IF, both right after at 00:01:06. Asami, in her Teleri, was next to cross at 00:01:08, with Ulla, in her Patchogue II, crossing the start line at 00:04:22. The fleet spread out as my speedier Dolphin Moth took me quickly to the front. Kristaly, in her Melges-24, held her pace right behind me as Lucy, in her Melges-24, passed the slightly slower Bandit IF’s of both Carlota and Jackson to take up position in third. Circular and Moon, both in their Shields Class, passed the slower Bandit IFs as well, and took up position behind Kristaly and Lucy. The Bandit IF pack stayed a bit tight as Carlota, Rulette, Jackson, Neil and Dess all jockeyed for position. Asami, in her Teleri, made moves to get through the Bandit IF pack getting almost neck and neck with Carlota. Unfortunately, Ulla, in her Patchogue II, crashed and had to record a DNF, the only one for the day. I held my quick pace and crossed the finish line first, taking line honors. Kristaly, was next to cross the finish line with Lucy right after her. Next up was Circular, Moon, Carlota and Asami, all crossing the finish line within seconds of each other making for an exciting finish. Rulette was next to cross the finish line, as she just edged across the line 1 second before Jackson, who was right on her stern. Neil was next across the finish line with Dess coming in right after him.
The big boat fleet, racing on the NS-1b course, was comprised of a majority of three Wildwind RC-44s. Two Trudeau 12 Metres and a TMS Ushuaia made up the remainder of the big boat fleet. Racing got off to a really quick start as 4 of the 6 boats in the fleet were across the start line before 10 seconds had ticked off on the race clock. Dess, in her Wildwind RC-44, and Rulette, in her Trudeau 12 Metre, got things started as they both crossed the line together at 00:00:2. I was next, in my TMS Ushauia, crossing the start line at 00:00:04. Lucy, in her Wildwind RC-44, was across the start line next at 00:00:05. Isilme, with Circular as crew in his Trudeau 12 Metre, was next across the start line at 00:00:59. Moon, in he Wildwind RC-44, was the next to cross the start line, crossing at 00:02:11. The faster Wildwind RC-44s quickly took to the lead of the fleet, as Lucy and Dess took first and second position at the front. Moon, also in a Wildwind RC-44, used the boats speed to try and catch up from his late start, working his way up to position just behind Lucy and Dess. Next up was the Trudeau 12 Metre pack, with Rulette settling in just in front of Isilme, with Circular as crew. I took up a spot just behind the 12 Metres in my slower TMS Ushuaia. Lucy held her lead as she was the first to cross the finish line, followed by Dess a mere 9 seconds after her. Moon was next to cross the finish line, followed by Rulette, Isilme with Circular, and then finally me.
Race Director: Petra
Wind: SW (225°) 18kts
Note:
Did Not Finish (DNF) = number of finish +1
Did Not Start (DNS) = number of start +1
Today’s winner was Cryptic Resident (Cryptic Resident), with LucyInTheSky Afarensis (LucyInTheSky Afarensis) second, and Rulette Resident (Rulette Resident) in third place. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you to everyone who came to sail and spectate.
Race Note:
Moon (moonglownight Resident) received a DSQ in the big boats race for sailing the incorrect course.
Lucy (LucyInTheSky Afarensis) and Rulette (Rulette Resident) both finished tied with 8 points. Rule A8.1 of Guidance on Scoring under Appendix A to the Rules of Sailing is used to break this tie:
“If there is a series score tie between two or more boats, each boat’s race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the boat(s) with the best score(s). No excluded scores shall be used.“
| Skipper | Best Finish | Next Best Finish |
| LucyInTheSky Afarensis | 2 | 6 |
| Rulette Resident | 4 | 4 |
With the race results rearranged in best to worst finish order, per A8.1, the tie breaks in Lucy’s favor with having a second place finish over Rulette’s fourth place finish as her best.
Moon (moonglownight Resident) and Circular (Circular Flux) both finished tied with 16 points. Rule A8.1 of Guidance on Scoring under Appendix A to the Rules of Sailing is used to break this tie:
“If there is a series score tie between two or more boats, each boat’s race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the boat(s) with the best score(s). No excluded scores shall be used.“
| Skipper | Best Finish | Next Best Finish |
| moonglownight Resident | 6 | 10 |
| Circular Flux | 7 | 9 |
With the race results rearranged in best to worst finish order, per A8.1, the tie breaks in Moon’s favor with having a sixth place finish over Circular’s seventh place finish as her best.
Isilme (justMike247 Resident) and Asami (Alisiea Resident) both finished tied with 18 points. Rule A8.1 of Guidance on Scoring under Appendix A to the Rules of Sailing is used to break this tie:
“If there is a series score tie between two or more boats, each boat’s race scores shall be listed in order of best to worst, and at the first point(s) where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favour of the boat(s) with the best score(s). No excluded scores shall be used.“
| Skipper | Best Finish | Next Best Finish |
| justMike247 Resident | 5 | 13 |
| Alisiea Resident | 7 | 11 |
With the race results rearranged in best to worst finish order, per A8.1, the tie breaks in Isilme’s favor with having a fifth place finish over Asami’s seventh place finish as her best.
North Sea Racing 