Wouter,
I do not understand where this 9NM shortcut is in the Texel race.
As I remember back to ~1980, I think it was, the race starts on the ocean side and goes to the right. I think that is in the North direction. Then you go around the lighthouse end of the island and turn right. Then you cross the end of the island to race course bouy and turn right again and sail down the bay side of the island. I think now you are sailing South. At the end of this leg you round a red channel marker which is far out from the South shoreline of the island and looking back at the island, many sandbars can be seen. The current is very strong here against you. Then you sail across the South end of the island to a large black and white seabouy out in the ocean. Turn right again and sail up the oceanside of the island to the finish line which was the starting line.
Where is this place where a 9NM shortcut can be taken?
Bill