The wind today was perfect for sailing. Despite some cloud cover, the warm land was able to suck in a moderate sea breeze from the South Pacific Ocean.  Bob Griffits reports.

Three races were sailed in quick succession in breeze which settled in at about 8 knots, and slowly built to 12 knots by the end of the third race.

A DNA F1, sailed by Brad Collett, notched up the first win for the design in Australian water the during the first race of the day.

The Race Committee had planned to run three races today, but it was not to be.  Bob Griffits reports

Unfortunately, the weather forecasters were correct, and their predictions of light winds out of the west eventuated.

The morning was characterised by drizzling rain, which at least helped to encourage a good participation attendance at the class AGM.

West winds are turbulent in nature by virtue of their transit large distances across the vast Australian interior, which at this time of year is extremely hot.

Dear fellow sailors,

I wanted to write a message for 2018, reminding the nice moments we had in 2017. Gordon beat me to it with his excellent article "2017 - A Class Year". So I thought, let's take another road and talk about people making the class.

Day One at the Australian Nationals Championships 2017/18.  Bob Griffits reports from the centre of action.

Racing commenced today in the Australian Championships at Wangi, NSW. 51 boats faced the starter’s gun at 1300 hours under blue skies on a typical NSW summer’s day.

...and a hoping you all have a very happy New Year!

Down in Australia, the Aussie superstars are gathering for what promises to be a hotly contested opening event of 2018   Robert Griffits reports.

In just a little under one week, the starter’s gun will fire signalling the start of the 2017/18 Australian A Class Cat Championships.  The composition of the fleet is now crystallising.

As European sailors shiver under an icy onslaught, and reflect longingly on all those great sailing days of the summer, we must spare a thought for those plucky Aussies, readying themselves in the heat and doing all that training in their bathlike warm, shark infested seas for the coming year.  We take a look back at 2017, a year which, as ever, saw some significant developments within the class. 

Updated Mast Measurement Form

Last week saw the METS sailing equipment trade show in Amsterdam.  This is an odd show, its a trade boatshow, but without any boats.  And it is THE place to get the latest bling for your superyacht.  It is also the place to catch up with people and a few luminaries of the 'A' Cat world were seen either looking for ideas or spying on the opposition.

A couple of new things relevent to 'A' Cat sailors were seen;

Following the publication of an article on catsailingnews and in various other media, the IACA (International A-Division Catamaran Association) would like to recall the following facts:

- IACA owns the rights and logo of the class.

- In France, the IACA only recognises the AFCCA (French Association of Catamarans of Class A) and has not delegated competence to any other French association.