From the left (in boats): Arwyn (Bandit 25), Red (Bandit IF), Carlota (Bandit IF), and Jackson (Bandit IF).
On the dock: Gabi, Joshua, Bonni, Gryfin, Petra, and Cryptic.
This weeks North Sea Bandit Regatta saw smooth sim weather with high winds early that calmed down later. The sims behaved marvelously today as we had no crashes. The Bullace region has been given a clean bill of health after LL gave it some TLC on Friday. This was also our monthly There and Back Again series, featuring both race lines located in The North Sea. The wind was a bit high for the first race, at 21kts but died down for the second race, at 15kts. We had a nice turn out of spectators along the shores of Lighthouse Isle, in the Ziziphus region, the shores in the Eden Albatros region, and at the Robbins Reef Lighthouse in the Eden Auk region. This weeks fleet was made up of a majority of seven Bandit IFs with one Bandit 25.
The first race, the There portion on the North Sea Breadnut to Eden Auk course, saw the fleet off to a great start in high winds of 21kts out of the southwest (225°). Jackson, in his Bandit IF, got things started as he crossed the start line at 00:00:02. Carlota, in her Bandit IF, was next to cross the start line at 00:00:12, followed by Red, in her Bandit IF, at 00:00:23. Arwyn, in her Bandit 25, was across the start line next at 00:00:29, followed by Noel, in his Bandit IF, at 00:00:30 and Neil, in his Bandit IF, at 00:00:39. Moon, in his Bandit IF, was next to cross the start line at 00:00::45 with Bonni, in her Bandit IF, crossing at 00:01:04. Arwyn, in her much faster Bandit 25, jumped out ahead of the fleet before the first mark, the green buoy south of Lighthouse Isle in the Ziziphus region. Jackson squeaked his way past Carlota, both in Bandit IFs, to settle into second in the fleet. Red, in her Bandit IF, settles in just aft of Carlota with Noel, in his Bandit IF, right on her stern. Neil, in his Bandit IF, was just to their rear as Moon, in his Bandit IF, was at the rear of the fleet. Bonni had to abandon the race, due to a RL commitment, and received a DNF. Arwyn increased her lead and crossed the finish line first, as Jackson crossed shortly after, in second. Carlota crossed the finish line next, followed by Red, Noel, Neil, and Moon.
The second race, the and Back Again portion on the North Sea Eden Auk to Breadnut course, saw the winds die down a bit to 15kts as they shifted direction out of the southeast (135°). Jackson, in his Bandit IF, once again got things started, crossing the start line at 00:00:04. Carlota, in her Bandit IF, was right on his stern, crossing the start line at 00:00:05. Neil, in his Bandit IF, was next to cross the start line at 00:00:13 followed by Red, in her Bandit IF, at 00:00:20. Arwyn, in her Bandit 25, was across the start line next at 00:00:30 followed by Noel, in his Bandit IF, at 00:00:41 and Moon, in his Bandit IF, at 00:01:11. Once again, Arwyn, in her much faster Bandit 25, dashed into the lead. Jackson, in his Bandit IF, was vying for position with Carlota, in her Bandit IF, when he took an ill timed tack to the south and got himself stuck in irons. Carlota took advantage and passed Jackson, as Neil, in his Bandit IF, and Red, in her Bandit IF, did as well. Noel, in his Bandit IF, and Moon, in his Bandit IF, brought up the rear of the fleet. Carlota, Neil and Red, all in their Bandit IFs, engaged in a mini-battle as they all were neck and neck heading to the second course mark, the pink buoy in the Eden Fulmar region. Red pulled off a slick inside turn around the buoy, passing Carlota and Neil, who had both come into the mark zone a bit high. Carlota slipped in just lee of Red, as Neil fell back just aft of them. Carlota and Red would continue to stay neck and neck until the third course mark, the blue buoy in the Sapote region, when Carlota finally got an edge and lead ahead of Red. Arwyn crossed the finish line first, however she missed rounding the blue buoy in the Sapote region correctly and was disqualified. Carlota crossed the finish line next followed by Red, Neil, Noel, Jackson, and Moon.
Race Director: Cryptic
Wind: SW (225°) 21kts
Wind: SE (135°) 15kts
Note:
Did Not Finish (DNF) = number of finish +1
Did Not Start (DNS) = number of start +1
Today’s winner was Carlota (Carlota Dufaux), with Red (RedHeadJO Resident) second, and Jackson (Jacquimo Resident) in third place. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you to everyone who came to sail and spectate and the SLCG for helping with race duties.
Race Note:
Arwyn was unfortunately disqualified (DSQ) from the second race for sailing the incorrect course.
We have a superb paint supplied by Ali Vultee, see her paint here: Ali’s Boat Paint Shop to the first place overall winner.
North Sea Racing 