NACRA Open Dutch Championship at Hellecat, The Netherlands

NACRA Open Dutch Championship at Hellecat, The Netherlands © Laurens Morel / www.saltycolours.com

The NACRA open champions where held at Hellecat, The Netherlands over a long weekend from the 1st to the 3rd June. A total of 31 boats attended mostly Dutch, with a few German boats and one solitary UK entry. Hellecat at Hellevoetslius is legendary in catamaran sailing circles and the club certainly know how to run a good event both on and off the water. In true Dutch style the water had been formed by damming off a river so, the water is fresh and flat; ideal for catamaran sailing.

Friday was the opening day and the long-distance race. Although, there was breeze from the north-west there was also a sea mist which would make picking out the channel buoys pretty challenging. An anti-clockwise course was set around the island of Slijkplaat with an up wind start to spread the fleet out. Racing started promptly at 14.00 and the first boat to the windward mark was the UK non- foiling Carbon 20 of John Tuckwell and Jon Cotgreave. The expectation was for the foiling boats to come through and take the lead on the downwind leg. Although, the foiling 20 of Albert Steenman came close, Tuckwell/Cotgreave held the lead. It was then a reach behind the back of the island with a beat back to the windward mark. The sea mist was becoming denser. The fleet of 8 boats was strung out but, just about able to navigate the course. Tuckwell/Cotgreave held out to finish first in 1 hour 27 minutes with the last boat finishing in 2 hours 4 minutes. Thankfully, no one got lost in the mist and all boats arrived back at the shore safely.

NACRA Open Dutch Championship at Hellecat, The Netherlands - photo © Laurens Morel / www.saltycolours.com

Saturday and the format was going to be different. The plan was for 5 races, back to back with the length of each race being between 20 – 40 minutes. So, the emphasis was very much on the start and the first beat. In the NACRA 15 youth fleet it was the consistence of the German team of Jesse Lindstalt and Janneke Fock who posted three 2nds a 4th and 1 first who were overnight leader. In the NACRA infusion fleet it was Frank de Waard and Sam Frank who had posted three firsts and in the Open fleet it was complete dominance of Tuckwell/Cotgreave who posted five 1sts for the day.

Saturday night there was a beach band, barbecue, much singing and dancing. The barbecue and band were courtesy of the manufacture NACRA which were very much appreciated and enjoyed.

Sunday arrived and the wind had swung more to the North coming from the Dam. Although the sun was out the sea breeze had yet to kick in so, this had thrown a spanner in the works for some of the teams however for the remaining 4 races with the sea breeze now settled. It was the usual suspects back in front. Frank de Waard and Sam Frank continued to post a series of 1st and 2nd's, Jesse Lindstalt and Janneke Fock also posted a same set of results although they did have an OCS in the third race of the day and Tuckwell/Cotgreave posted three 1st and 2nd and had done enough not to sail the last race.

NACRA Open Dutch Championship at Hellecat, The Netherlands - photo © Laurens Morel / www.saltycolours.com

Overall this was a really good event and for the UK team worth the travel. It was well supported by the manufacture, there was good support by the NACRA International class association and most of all the club were welcoming to all the sailors.

Some of the teams have used this event as a warm up for the Round Texel race which is a must do event for any catamaran sailor which is run on the 16th June.

Overall Results: