As the European fleets shiver by the fire and wonder if their boat is thinking about them as much too, in Florida, the Bluster on the Bay Regatta took place last weekend.   Matt Keenan and Craig Yandow sent us this report.

So Steven Norman Brewin is the Australian ‘A’ Class National Champion yet again. 

The 2017 Australian A Class Championship is now complete, with Steven Brewin winning the event. Darren Bundock was second, with Brad Collette third.

One race was started today in somewhat light and fickle conditions, which soon became extremely light and fickle. The race was stopped after about 10 minutes with the breeze doing several pirouettes around the compass spectrum. No further racing could be started.

With one day left, things suddenly look close now for 1st and 2nd, and only a few points in it.  Our embedded reporter, Bob Griffits reports;

The final day of the 2017 Australian A Class Catamaran has arrived, with racing scheduled for midday.

We are now at the half way mark in the proposed 12 race series at the Australian Nationals, with a further 3 races sailed today.  Bob Griffits reports from within the fleet.



The temperature was a little warmer than yesterday when Melbourne recorded it's coldest January day in 21 years. The sun the bid it's return just in time for the start.

With the first days races under the belt, Brewin just leads Bundy, as Bob Griffits reports.

After the conclusion of the three faces sailed today on Port Phillip Bay, Stevie Brewin narrowly leads the event with 5 points with a 2-1-2 scorecard.

Just behind on 6 points is  his training and development partner, Darren Bundock, with scores of 1-2-3.  Brad Collett is in third place with places 4-5-1 ( 10 points).  Rounding out the top 6 are Adam Beattie 3-4-4 (11), and Stephen Brayshaw 5-3-5 (13 points).

Two Practice races were sailed today at the McCrae venue.  Bob Griffits reports.

The racing started under grey skies with the wind at about 10 to 12 twelve knots during the first race strengthening to about 15 knots for the second race. The wind from the south cooperated with the coastal  topography to  provide flat water and really ideal conditions for foiling.

What did learn from the Practice Race? Well clearly a number of people have been practicing quite a bit, and others of us need a bit more practice.

The Australian Nationals are almost upon us.  The top guns are gathering, as Robert Griffits reports. 

Check out the Google Map here.

Seasons Greetings and a very happy New Year to all!