Two 'A' cats on display at the RYA London Dinghy Show.

The World's only dedicated dinghy show took place last weekend at the Alexandra Palace exhibition centre in North London.  Organised by the Royal Yachting Association, several thousand visitors come to this show to see the latest designs and developments, and to buy kit and equipment for the new season.

IACA President Andrew Landenberger replies to the French FFV in response to their recent pronouncements.

Dear Jean Pierre,

I have read your letter with great interest. It shows you have given detailed thought and consideration to the current situation in our class which is a constant evolution of changes during this time. I would however like to point out some details surrounding my letter to the class which you have referenced in your response.

On February 18, in a meeting with the Vice -President of the French national sailing regulator, the FFV, Jean-Pierre Churet, French A Class Association President  Thierry Boisbouvier and Vice President Jacques Piallat  said that the FFV conceders the A-Class to be a flying boat and as such, two possibilities were offered to them:

The IACA technical committee and World Sailing agree a clarification.

A rudder hanging clarification was posted on the IACA website 27/1/16 to clarify our interpretation of rudder hangings and since that time the issue has been raised by a number of individuals and measurers as to how this interpretation can be ruled on and how a sailor is to know if he is class legal or not.

The Technical Committee has received many enquiries as to how the new “decksweeper “ type sails are to be measured and how Black Bands are to be applied.  In the past with the present “standard” sail shape the measurement guide adequately covered and we could simplify our procedure by taking maximum offsets and in some cases eliminating some of the roach area measurements.  The new sails have presented new challenges and the new guidelines hopefully cover these areas.

Following the tragic death of Murray Philpott, his very good friend and IACA Technical head, Graeme Harbour, writes this piece for him.

The International A Class Association is deeply saddened by the death of New Zealand A Class sailor Murray Philpott in a tragic gliding accident on the 6th February.

It is with great sadness that we must report the death of top New Zealand A class sailor Murray Philpott in a gliding accident at the weekend.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends. 

NZADCA President, Brent Harsant, released the following statement.

It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Murray Philpott on Saturday 6 February in a glider accident.

Murray was one NZADCA's longest serving members, and was happy to offer his services as a technical advisor and measurer to other sailors. 

The Vele di Pasqua is a traditional sailing regatta at Cesenatico. During the Easter holidays, the international competition returns to the Adriatic coast with over 100 participating boats of all cat classes including A Cats. For those wishing to attend this unique show, the 42nd edition of the Vele di Pasqua will be held in front of  the Piazza Costa and the Congrega Velisti Cesenatico club. A chance to see and sail with some of the best international skippers and attend the opening

While the North European fleets shiver in drysuits and 5mm wetsuits or are still laid up, over in Florida, the US Ronstan Midwinters took place at Key West.  USACA President Bailey White reports

The 2016 Ronstan Midwinters at the Upper Keys Sailing Club turned out to be much bigger than we expected and even more fun.  What started with registration just breaking twenty turned into 35 boats as they just kept showing up on Friday.  

About 15 boats made a week of it and enjoyed flat water, mid teens winds, and warm tropical weather all week.

A clarification on measurement, released by the IACA Technical Committee.

Rudder Hanging Interpretation.