As the season in Europe slowly draws to it's wet, hurricane fuelled close on what has been for some, another rather frustrating year of too much/too little wind and when most European class associations are looking towards their final regattas of the year, it is now only some 4 weeks until the World Championships and the Hervey Bay crowd get their barbies lit.

Very sorry to report the loss of long time sailor Craig Yandow after suffering an aortic embolism during the North American Championships. Craig came off the water in 4th place overall and second in classics, complaining of pain and weakness but still working to de-rig his boat. Another sailor took him to the hospital where the seriousness of his condition was quickly event. He was placed into a medically induced coma and never left the hospital.

Marström Classic A-cat Cup is an event open for all Classic A Cats out there.  An invitation from Ulf Tjernberg to join an interesting regatta.  

The Spanish A Class 2.018 Championship was held in Vigo (Galicia at the North of Spain) between the 6 and the 9 of September 2.018.  A fleet of 21 boats was present during the event. Just 4 races were raced. 2 on Friday 7thfrom 8 to 12 knots and 2 on Saturday, first one with 4/6 knots and the other one from 8 to 12 knots. Sunday it was not possible to race due to bad weather conditions.

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP A CAT 2018 – Calambrone (Pisa) – 6th- 9th September 2018

The “Centro Vela Sunset” (Calambrone - Pisa) organized the September meeting of the Italian A Class Catamaran Championship: three days of competition with a total of seven races. The Northern Tyrrhenian Sea provided real emotions both for the beautiful sunsets and for the overall wind conditions.

The second Nationals of the weekend was the Belgian.  Some 21 sailors, mostly BEL and FRA, but with a couple of GER and NED boats joining the international party, racing was on the  Eau D'heure Lake in the Southern French speaking region of the country.  The wind was always on the lighter side, which suited the majority of the fleet as they were 80% Classic.  The 4 races on the Saturday were sailed in 8-9 kts with Phil Muysers getting 3 bullets and a 2nd to dominate the fleet.

On a busy weekend for National Championships, seeing the BEL, ESP and POL Nationals sailed, Jacek Noetzel reports from Sopot on the Polish Nats.

2018 Worlds regatta information.  NOR and AUS Nats NOR available here - https://www.sailherveybay.com.au/regatta-information     

Late entry payment fee starts 1st Oct, so please keep this in mind!

One week, two events, three good reasons to come racing !

What is the best way to end the 'A' Cat season than having two regattas in one week!  Thus, the “Régates d’Automne” in Cazaux, taking place on the 20th and 21st of October, will be the ideal training and race practice for all before competing in the French 'A' Cat Nationals, organised by the CVB in Maubuisson from the 23rd to the 25th October.