The ‘A’ Class Catamaran Worlds started today in the Polish resort city of Sopot.  A strong fleet of 126 boats have been arriving for a few weeks, and many have trained with the good local Polish fleet of 25 + boats.

This year, it has attracted eight former Olympic sailors and an America’s Cup winner to the event, keen to race this thoroughbred that has now embraced foiling and taken it to a new level.  However, the older non-foiling boats are still very much still in the frame, as when the wind is too low, or gusty and shifty, the ‘Classic’ ‘A’ cats will still shine.

The 2017 A Class Catamaran World Championships are now officially underway. Robert Griffits had a few minutes spare to pen (or rather I-Pad) this.



Early last night, the event was officially declared open by the mayor of Sopot in a ceremony held in the main square of the city.



The ceremony was preceded by a parade featuring the flag bearers of the 19 nations competing, leading the field of competitors ,and even a few of their canine companions. The speeches were short congenial , and heartfelt.

Well, boys and girls, what have we learned this week at the Polish Nationals?   - Wind is a fickle mistress.

Piet Saarberg resigned from the IACA committee on 19th of October 2016. I asked him about his long years at IACA, this is what he wrote to me. I’m glad to soon meet Piet in Sopot to thank him personally for his work.

Charles

Hi Charles, Here a short résumé of my history with the class.

World Sailing rule interpretation - Thilo Keller/AST AC Nano design.

The Open A Class Italian Championship, organized by the Associazione Velica Bracciano by Bracciano Lake, near Rome, ended on Sunday. There were big surprises confirming once more the vivacity of A Cat Italy’s combative 2017 season.  Pier Faccin reports.

With less than a month to go, a few of the top ‘A’ cat sailors are already in Sopot joining in with the Polish sailors for final training, boat tweaks and to perfect their match fitness.  So, whom should we be watching out for this year?  With some 140 entrants now, there are some top names competing, with several ex-Olympic and America’s Cup sailors, not to mention numerous National Champions, this is shaping up to be a very strong fleet indeed.

The Belgian 2017 Nationals were held on the North Sea at Knokke on the 15-17 July.  Michel Warlop reports.

We had 10 competitors including 2 French, 1 German and 7 Belgians. Conditions were quite hard, at least for those not used to sail on choppy waters as the wind ranged from force 3 to 5 in the first three races and even force 6 in the last race on Saturday. The latter race forced the foilers to sit thight on their boats whilst going downwind.

BACCA Lake Ullswater ‘A’ Class TT

Royal Yachting Association Club Of The Year 2017, Ullswater Yacht Club, were the generous and friendly hosts of the latest British ‘A’ Class Catamaran Association Cat open meeting and tolerated these 7’6 wide single-handed cats taking up their front lawn. 

Young Italian Gianluigi Ugolini won the National A Class regatta organized at Polisportiva Fior d’Olivo Acquafresca and hosted during Foiling Week 2017. Pier Faccin reports;