The real North Sea Week and also the long-distance Pantaenius around Skagen had to be cancelled this year due to the corona restrictions and, most recently, due to unclear communication from the Danish authorities. Race director Marcus J. Boehlich has written a very clear and readable account of how this came about on the North Sea Week website described.
But they sailed anyway, at least the long distance, and only virtually. But with huge success.
The first participants crossed the finish line on Thursday evening, with more arriving in Kiel every minute. With over 27,000 participants, never before have so many skippers taken on this challenge.
Not only has the field of participants never been so large, it has also never been so international. At two days, 21 hours, 4 minutes and 23 seconds, the winner was a Swede with the player name "Toppen", followed by four French players and a Dane. The best German was "Henni" in tenth place.
The race was very close, with only around three minutes separating first and tenth place after almost three days. "Toppen" is clearly no virtual novice, having been sailing in the Virtual Regatta simulation since 2017, competing in 122 ocean races and winning six times. His greatest success was winning the virtual Sydney Hobart Race this year against over 41,000 competitors.
It is not yet known who is behind the names in reality, as the players take part anonymously. However, the winners will be contacted, as they should also receive their prizes.
