Have a look at the competitors registered to the 2008 A class NAs.
Among the 25 helmsmen you find a "James Spithill" sailing a new EVO.
I wonder if he is the TRUE James Spithill

http://www.acatnas.org/competitors

Yes

By the way,

Evo #1 and #2 this weekend at Roton Point.

How come the Acat US Nationals is open to any International Acat competitor?

Is this common practice? How about other classes?

I remember Mischa won the F18 NA's a couple of years ago.

So while it may not be common, it does happen in other classes I guess.

At least in F18, it is very common practice elsewhere in the world. I do not know if they crown the "champion" as a foreigner should they win or not. We had that debate when Mischa won F18 NA's a couple of years ago...he was titled NA champion.

I've seen it happen in lots of monohull classes. They crown the winner as "Winner of the N/A's" but then they also crown the top NA finisher as the "N/A Champion".

I once saw a result for some class, might have been the Star class, or J-24's or Melges 24's, anyway, the top "N/A" finisher was about 5th overall!

Top 10 2008 Hobie 16 NA's:
1. Figueroa/Jolliam PUR 78
2. Fernandez/Guirola GUA 100.3
3. Merrick/Cleveland USA 108
4. Hess/Arathoon GUA 118
5. Noriega/Norriega MEX 123
6. Colon/Cabrera PUR 133
7. Montague/Ward USA 141
8. Porter/Porter USA 143
9. McVeigh/Bisesi USA 151
10. Hess/Hess USA 164

They are all "North Americans" (since there is no "Central American Region" in the IHCA), unlike last year, when Aaron Worrall (AUS) won the H-16 NA's in Alameda. He was the winner of the event, but Armando Noriega was declared the "North American Champion."

It's not the first time something like that has happened.

It's also notable that Puerto Ricans are US Citizens.

Are any of you guys coming out for the event?
I'll be on the chase boat.

Much to my regret I will have to give this N.A.s a pass.
Taken a guest lecturers spot for the fall and winter semesters , but this will allow me to go to Fla. in the spring.

Fred

First off, it's not the "Acat US Nationals" it's the North Americans (international by definition).

As others have mentioned, it is common pratice to award the "Champion" status to a resident of the specific area covered by the title of the event (North America, in this case).

However, this is normally specifically addressed in the NOR. In the case of this event, the NOR is silent on the subject of eligibility for the NA Champion trophy. Hopefully, that won't cause litigation.

Mike