Aussie Nats start at Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club

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The AUS Nats gets underway. AUS President Bill Michie gives us a quick report for the action.

A beautiful sunny day greeted competitors, fifty four of them, for the first day of the AUS Nationals.

With the forecast 12 to 18 knots, as predicted by the AUS President many weeks ago holding true the fleet experienced what can only be described as champagne sailing.

Some might disagree as some big shifts and holes in the breeze were to found.

Regardless all had fun and as usual the cream of Aussie A Class Catamaran sailors rose to the top.

Ben Hall inducted into the US National Sailing Hall Of Fame.

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In October Ben Hall has been inducted into the US National Sailing Hall of Fame in Chicago, alongside another A-Cat legend, Pete Melvin.

USACA Sec, Pat Stadt reports.


USA 99 was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame during October 2024 ceremonies at the Chicago Yacht Club. Among others, A-Cat sailor/boat designer and builder Pete Melvin was in this year’s class. Ben’s brother Eric was also inducted this year, and the Hall “Clan” gathered to celebrate the great occasion on the shores of Lake Michigan.
 

Shipping to the 2025 NZL Worlds.

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Advice on container shipping

For those used to shipping their boats around the world, skim through this as there are a couple of key bits of NZ specific information.

To get your boat to NZ, you will need a 40” high cube shipping container. Within one of these, you can fit up to 10 A-Class (Stack them bow to bow, 4 high, then 2 on their side in the middle). To make it worthwhile cost wise, you usually need about 5 or more boats in a container. Costs vary obviously, but the return trip could cost between €1,500 to €3,000 Euro per boat.

The idea of the 'GP style finish' should be trialled at major events and should be seriously looked at now?

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Some very interesting good and valid observations made here by Rainer Bohrer. The idea of the 'GP style finish' should be trialled at major events and should be seriously looked at now.

Drinks for the winners! ++  Punta Ala was a true highlight in many respects—not least thanks to the record participation of 170 sailors (86 in the Classic Class and 84 in the Open Class). Here, I want to discuss a few statistical insights, particularly regarding race duration and wait times in the seven races of the – Open - class.

Last day on the Golfo

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The little lizards in the woods of PuntAla are sad.  All the beautiful people and their even more beautiful boats have gone.  There is something profoundly sad about a venue after a major event happened.  The excitement, the drama, the laughter, the arguing, the banter, the buzz, all gone.

Honouring four great A-Class personalities

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On Wednesday evening, at the Worlds in PuntAla, a presentation took place honouring four great contributors to the A-Class Cat.  Artworks were presented for each nominee.  

They were: Dieter Melcher, SUI 192, he wrote most of the IACA Constitution

Ben Hall, USA, for numerous contributions to the class, especially in USA

Graeme Harbour, for his incredible help in the IACA Committee (Class Rules and Championship Rules modernizations), and of course as International Measurer