NOD 2013 host's J/24 World’s Qualifier and Albacore Gooderham Series

by Ross Ernst on 27 Jun 2013 With the support of over 90 volunteers and our returning Premier sponsor IP Strategies, the Nepean Sailing Club hosted another very successful Nepean One Design (NOD) regatta on June 22nd – 23rd, 2013.

The recipe was a proven one: start with a solid foundation of enthusiastic volunteers and partner Sponsorship support, add in a J/24 World’s Qualifier and some Championships, throw in a bit of good regatta weather and well run races by a top notch Race Committee, mix in some fantastic post-race entertainment, and presto... you have another premier regatta!

This year the NOD was excited to host to a J/24 Ontario District 2014 Worlds qualifier, 2013 C&C 27 Ontario Championships, and be part of the 2013 Gooderham Trophy series for the Albacores in addition to the usual popular one-design class racing. We also introduced an enhanced logo and look for NOD 2013 which was reflected in all our marketing. A big thanks to Linda Lamouroux and her team who brought their many talents to bear for Marketing, Regalia, and Awards! The exciting results can be found on-line at http://nod.nsc.ca/results with the top places by class fleet listed below.

98 boats and 300 competitors participated in 11 class fleets, coming from as far as Monmouth Boat Club in New Jersey and the Dalhousie Yacht Club, racing on Lac Deschenes (Ottawa River). New this year was a return of the Youth in their Laser Radials, with a strong return showing from fleets such as the Albacores and Fireballs in addition to J/24’s showing up in record numbers. Thank you to all the fleet reps for getting the word out and encouraging your fleets to register. And a huge thank you to Michael Lee and the team of NSC and Fleet yard/harbor volunteers who assisted over 44 visiting club boats with launch/haul-out, storage, camping, and harbor mooring! A big shout out to Warner Monteiro for web support and Cathy Kayser and the many registration volunteers who shepherded everyone smoothly with so many registrants and late arrivals.

Rick Anderton and his Race Committee teams did a great job organizing and running three race courses, incorporating the added requirements of hosting a J/24 World’s Qualifier fleet, and maximizing the amount of racing in unpredictable weather conditions for the weekend. Our generous thanks to our neighbor clubs; Lac Deschenes Sailing Club, Kanata Sailing Club, Britannia Yacht Club, and Club de voile Grande-Rivière who all donated boats to safely service racing on three courses. The RCO’s included Ryan Dargavel, Christine Winiarz-Searle, and Mario Poirier. Fantastic job guys!

Although Saturday started light with drizzles, the winds soon strengthened from the East with five to eight knots and most fleets were able to put 5-6 races into the books. Arriving back in harbor, sailors were greeted by the Caribbean sounds of The Nepean Panharmonics steel band, and Bajan appetizers served up by Take Home Barbados Chef. As folks were just getting into their frosty ones, the NSC Victoria R/C Fleet turned up in large numbers and put on a colourful demonstration race in the harbor showing their skill and competitive spirit. Congrats to Tom Miller, winner of the first NOD ‘un-official’ Victoria class!

There was much discussion recounting the day’s racing over a gourmet chicken dinner put together by NSC’s own Galley crew. A draw was held with prizes provided by sponsors The Chandlery, UK Halsey, and Robertson & Robertson Insurance. All evening racing photos were displayed thanks to Valerie Wutti of Blitzen Photography. Then the party started as the Acoostic Shooters rocked the club until after midnight... was that Eric singing Wagon Wheels? Yet another solid NOD when it came to food and entertainment thanks to Jay Morden and NSC club operations!

Sunday saw poor racing conditions with little wind making any racing unfathomable before the 2 PM cut off. Only two protests were filed on the Saturday paving the way for quick scoring results. Many thanks to our Chief Judge Barbara James and this year’s protest committee. Capping Sunday's Awards ceremony, traveler awards were also presented to the farthest visiting boats in recognition of their important contribution to the Regatta’s success.

Congratulations to all the NOD Fleet winners and ‘Journey’, the top Ontario J/24 earning a start in next year’s 2014 Worlds!

Keelboat Results (place/team):

J 24s: First-Navtech.ca, Second-Journey, Third-A1
Sharks: First-Blew By U2, Second-Emma B Quick, Third-Lone Shark
Tanzer 22s: First-NSC Beagle, vSnoekie, Third-Thriller
Laser 28s: First-Colibri, Second-Nirvana 6, Third-Alpha
Martin 16s: First-Boat #21, Second-Expresso, Third-Boat #12
Kirby 25s: First-Wave, Second-Blue Streak, Third-Rum Runner
C&C 27s: First-Thumper, Second-Blue Zulu, Third-Makai 27
Victorias: First-`No Name’

Dinghy Results (place/team):

Albacores (A Group): First-Bessie, Second-Squint The Rocket Ship, Third-Sliders, Fourth-Glass Tuna, Fifth-No Name
Albacores (B Group): First-Grey Goose, Second-Wandering Wombat II
Fireballs: First-Rocket Science, Second-Technical Difficulties, Third-Mamba
505s: First-No Name, Second-Red Rocket, Third-Plane Chaos
Laser Radials: First-A Torch Confused, Second-ACE, Third-Wave-e

The Nepean One Design has firmly established itself as a premier regatta event with wide accessibility thanks to the continued commitment of both our club NSC, our Sponsors, and a team of talented volunteers. Let’s do it all again together next year!

About the Nepean One Design regatta (NOD): Hosted by Nepean Sailing Club, the annual Nepean One Design regatta is a fun filled, action-packed, competitive sailing regatta which traditionally takes place the second last weekend in June. The premier sailboat racing event in the National Capital Region, this regatta is open to the most popular dinghy and keelboat one-design classes including; 505's, Fireballs, Albacores, 420s, Laser 28, Laser Radial, C&C 27, Kirby 25, J/24, Martin 16s, Shark, Tanzer 22 and Soling’s. With live entertainment and great food off the water to compliment great racing, the regatta is a spring highlight event for amateur racers. Most boats come from clubs in the Ottawa/Gatineau region, but many travel from all over Ontario, Quebec, and the northeast U.S. For more information on this premier sailing event, please visit: http://nod.nsc.ca.