This is a true A Cat story from Andrea Ferrarri.

Giorgio Marchetto, called "il Bafo", a great fellow who is sailing on the Venice lagoon, at the age of 70 goes sailing almost every day, enjoying the beauties of the lagoon and the pleasure of his A Class.

Last Sunday during a nice trip through the islands, he had a heart attack, which could cost him his life.  It was only thanks to his cold blood and the speed of the catamaran that he managed to get back to the shore unaided and fast, just in time to be hospitalized and got life saving treatment.

The European sailing season is just around the corner, and things are happening in France - Thibault Laudren reports.

The provisional NOR for the 2018 European Championships is published.  See http://www.a-cat.eu/en/ for further details.  

Please note - As declared in paragraphs 3.9 to 3.13

– competitors shall register and pay through their National Association

– all National Associations shall submit there entries by filling out the Collective Entry Form.

Dear Presidents, Dear Members,

2018 New Zealand National Championships.

Held at Wakatere Boating Club, Narrow Neck Beach, 8th - 11th February, 12 scheduled races, 10 sailed.  Dave Haylock reports.

Day 1 - The whole regatta had strong winds predicted with likely the worst to be seen on day one.

The fleet numbers were down to 13 this year, some put off by the forecast and a few racing in other classes that weekend.

The NOR for the 2018 German Nationals is now published and registration is open.  Visit https://www.raceoffice.org/ssv2018CATCUP 

A training day with Mischa Heemskerk, for up to 8 sailors, is also available.

The NOR for the INTERNATIONAL REGATTA VELE DI PASQUA 2018 at Cesenatico starting 31st March is published.

The official site of the 2019 World Championships has been launched.  The event, to be held at the former 2012 Olympic venue of Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, will be over the week 24-30th August.  It will be preceded, the previous weekend, by the UK Nationals, a good opportunity for some last minute match fitness.  

However, as it is also a holiday weekend in the UK, it is advised that you get your accommodation booked early to avoid dissapointment.

As you might know, the Class Rule rewrite was taken of the agenda for the 2017 WGM at the Sopot Worlds. The main reasons for that was a new contact we got assigned at World Sailing, found some issues in complying with the World Sailing template, which would cause them to not being able to approve the rule rewrite.

These issues have now been fixed along with incoorporating the World Sailing Interpretation from 10th of August on Thilo Kellers foil system.

The Notice Of Race for the 2018 World Championships at Hervey Bay has been published.  You can also register online at https://www.sailherveybay.com.au