A-Class Cat European Championships 2025 Preview

In just under 4 weeks’ time, many of the top A-Cat sailors in Europe, together with a few others from around the World, will assemble in Italy once again, this time for the European Championships at Riccione, just South of Rimini on the Adriatic coast. It will be an opportunity to continue those conversations and renew the class camaraderie forged back in September at the huge 2024 Worlds, when it was held over on the Western side of the Italian peninsula, at the Tuscan PuntaAla resort. The class always holds a European Championships in years when the Worlds is outside Europe, and this year will be in Auckland NZL.  

The Euro hosts this year will be the Spiaggia 151 Riccione club, a central beachfront venue, founded by local enthusiasts in 2007 in this stylish and popular riviera resort.  This 200+ member strong club has become pretty much the main beach destination for all watersport genres in the area, and a training centre for Windsurf, kite, foil and paddleboarding, together with Jet-skis.  It is also the home of the local cat and dinghy members, with an associated boat park.  The club runs numerous sailing and watersports courses throughout the summer, utilising the services of its two dozen specialist instructors, as well as holding summer camps for children of all ages.  The club boasts facilities for both regional and national sized regattas, with the large beach area in front of the club becoming the event’s boat, rigging and trailer park areas.  Beach bars, cafes and parasol equipped sunbeds keep spectators and families comfortable whilst waiting for their sailor’s happy return.  Onscreen live tracking is available during the event to keep shore crews up to date on the events on the water, should the bar become too much for them.

The club is experienced in National class events, with several F-18 and A-Cat events being held over the years.  This will be the first large international event, but the club is more than capable of stepping up and welcoming more sailors.  With the entries now closed, we should now have a picture of the twin fields that form the Classic (Non foiling) and Open (foiling) fleet entrants in this Single-Handed A-Cat Championships.  

The fleets this time happens to be a 60/40 split of Classic vs Open sailors. Of the 15 nations represented, being held in Italy, it again stands to reason that the ITA fleet will comprise the largest proportion of the 84 boats registered, in this case over half, with 45 boats in total, and digging down into the stats, they form some 60% of the Classic fleet alone, and just under half of the Open fleet numbers.  This is to be expected as the ITA national fleet are a largely Classic bunch.  Second in the numbers are GER, with their 10 boats, then ESP with 7, SUI on 5 boats, NED and POL with 3 each.  The remainder are single or twin representatives, but with sailors promised from Associations as far away from Europe as AUS, BRA and USA, it’s a nice spread of flags for the opening ceremony.

Let’s have a look at a few runners and riders, starting with the Classic Fleet.

Classic (Non Foiling)

Reigning World and European Classic Champ, Gustavo Doreste Blanco (ESP 72, Exploder Ad3) in on the list. His PuntAla Worlds win was a result of consistency and dedicated hard work, and knowing he was not needing to win every race, but just be up there in all the conditions, which he indeed was.  Gustavo should like the conditions more at Riccione, with its steadier, more moderate wind conditions, although sea breezes are likely to make things bounce about at times. 

Hunting him will be that old Grey Wolf, double class World Champ Scott Anderson (AUS 31, Exploder Ad3). 

This former Olympian is somewhat of a master in any conditions you give him, so barring breakages, he should be there challenging in his keen-eyed, clinical, unflappable style.  

Now, also look out for Jacek Noetzel (POL1, Exploder Ad3). 

This A-Cat veteran ‘swapped codes’, as they say in Rugby, taking up the Classic after many years in the Open fleet.  He did vow, probably in jest, never to sail a Classic ever again, but has rediscovered the fun and competitiveness that Classic category provides.   In a good blow this Sopot hero can be blisteringly fast, but we’ll see how he can go in the sometimes fickle Adriatic breezes. One thing is sure though, he’ll either be grinning, or blowing out his cheeks in his famous trademark style.

We have 31 Italian sailors in the Classic fleet, led by the National class President, Marco Gaeti (ITA 99) who is no mean sailor!  But it is thought that local Italian home advantage could go to Marco Radman (ITA 55, Scheuer G6). 

Marco, a former Hobie 16 ace, is a proper marginal wind expert and could well be challenging for his first major A-Class title.  Some good finishes at both the Toulon Worlds in 2023 and PuntAla events point the way here for this quiet (yes, you do occasionally get them) Italian.  

His countryman, Alessandro Rosi (ITA 007, DNA F1X)

Alessandro might also be in the frame too, hoping to improve on his 8th place at the ’24 Worlds, and with 3 of those top 8 Worlds finishers not attending, could a podium place await?  

But another one to watch is the ever popular and disarmingly self-effacing German ‘King’ Georg Reutter (GER 2, Nikita).

He is a veteran Southern German lake sailor of great note and, in common with all those guys there, is spectacularly fast in the light and shifty stuff. He will appear from nowhere, if those conditions permit, to snatch a victory, although he unfortunately took a hit in his beloved Nikita at the last regatta, but it’ll all be mended soon.  

And then we have the legendary Ben Hall (USA 99). 

Never has a sailor looked so delighted with achieving his life’s ambition of finally winning a race in a Worlds event. This 78 year old did it at PuntAla in the lightest and shiftiest of difficult conditions.  It had only taken him some 14 championships, but it finally happened for ‘The Admiral’.

However, all these are ‘gentlemen of a certain age’.  The Classic fleet has many of us, enjoying the close tactical racing and camaraderie this fleet supplies in spadefuls.  But a few youngbloods are creeping in now. 

Keep an eye on sailors such as Francesco Mainero (ITA 75, Exploder Ad3).  

This young Italian is putting in some impressive results recently and does much to drive and encourage the younger Classic sailors with his keen, enthusiastic character, and together with Andrea Ruffini (ITA 15, DNA) a fresh new guy also showing promise, hopefully a new generation of Classic ‘kids’ could arrive.

We also have a couple of other newbies of note, representing countries seldom seen at such events.  We have a trio of Hungarian sailors, Andras Barton (HUN 12) in the Classics and Peter and Sandor Roka (HUN 001 & HUN 18) in the Open and a Brazilian Classic sailor, namely Sergio Godoy (BRA 26).  I’m sure they’ll be welcomed and have a memorable time and can help to raise the profile of the class in their countries.

Open (Foiling)

Over in the Open fleet, there are fewer entries in this Euros, with 37 boats.  Many of the Foiling Aces come from AUS and the USA, but those lads are looking, understandably, to keep their powder dry until the Auckland Worlds in November.  However, one has escaped!  Joey Randall (AUS 22, Exploder Ad3) is on his summer European tour.  Joey can be a fast sailor and has put in some impressive positions at various events, assuming his boat stays together.   The fleet size is not to diminish the level of this Open category field either, as we do have several established hotshots in attendance.  

The back-to-back World Open Champ, Kuba Surowiec (POL 41, Exploder Ad3)

Kuba will be looking to maintain his championship winning form from PuntAla. He has been sailing at his home club in Sopot since he was a tadpole.  He is a hugely capable sailor in several classes, including Transat ocean racing. However, he was narrowly beaten into second place at the recent Garda Spring Regatta. But those were in fluky and challenging conditions this year at that event, and that could incentivise him to raise his game at just the right time.  

The sailor who beat him at Garda was Lamberto Cesare (ITA 13, Exploder Ad3).

Lamberto is another highly motivated and keen racer, and he’s sure to be driving for a repeat of his Garda results at Riccione. He is a huge enthusiast for the class and takes an active role in the international class committee (IACA).  He is hoping to get that first big event win which has so far eluded him.  Maybe his luck will continue this time.  

Lamberto is one of a number in an elite Italian training group they call ‘The Squad’.  Its members meet regularly, at various venues, to train and experiment on techniques.  Their members are showing much promise with good national and regional results.  

Other top ITA sailors in the group include Marco Anessi (ITA 71, Exploder Ad3).

Marco is relatively new to the A-Cat but scored 13th at PuntAla at his first big ticket event.  He is a former 49er champion and is the current ITA National A-Cat Champ, won in his first A-Cat regatta, so he has considerable form.  

Another keen Squad member is Italian F-18 President, Giovanni Fantasia (ITA 969, Exploder Ad3) and is no slouch around the course either. 

However, the Italian lads will really be up against it, as there is very strong competition from several visitors aside from Kuba.  

First, of course, will be the Multi World Champion, Mischa Heemskerk (NED 7, DNA F1x)

Mischa heads the DNA Team of Allstars.  He is always fighting hard in his trademark muscleman style.  Their problem will be that Mischa is not just good in the fruity stuff, his lighter wind game is top notch also.  

Then there are the two other Team DNA teammates of PJ Dwarshius (NED 28, DNA F1x)

 and Thiess Visser (NED 33, DNA F1x).

Both are capable of inflicting points damage on any would-be champion if they are not careful.  PJ delightedly won a race at the ‘23 Toulon Worlds when weird, fluky winds propelled him, by some margin, magically to the front of the field.  Last year at the Worlds they tested a DN bendy rig at the warm-up event.  Can we hope to see any other developments in the class from them?

In the strong Spanish squad, is former Euro Champ, Manuel Calavia (ESP 11, Exploder Ad3).

He finished as World No. 6 at PuntAla and had it not been for a disastrous race 6, could have been challenging Stevie Brewin for 5th.  He will be alongside another good Spaniard, Marti Abdon Ibanez, who finished 14th in the last Worlds and could be a surprise in the top finishers.  

And flying the tricolour for La Republique is their sole sailor Emmanuel Dode (FRA 2, Exploder Ad3).

Emmanuel is a hard worker and seen at many of the big World events, putting a lot of time in on the water and is very capable of a good finish.  It’s a pity that so few French sailors travel as they have several very fast racers among their number, particularly in their large Classic fleet.  We also have our regular Czech visitor, Vladislav Ptasnik (CZE 1, Exploder Ad3) Vlad is a great character and seen at many European events.  He will be pushing for a top ten finish.

A couple of German sailors in this fleet are worth keeping an eye on too.  Bob Baier (GER 14 , Exploder Ad3) Bob has been the GER National Champion and has a wealth of experience and Rainer Bohrer (GER 6, Exploder Ad3) is also very knowledgeable, and his technical ability could also make him capable of good finishers on his day as well.  

Our sole female sailor this year is Katrin Brunner (GER 15, DNA F1x). 

Katrin sails on Bodensee and is, it’s fair to say, built like a jockey.  She too could be one to look out for in the lighter conditions, especially if it becomes ‘low rider’ conditions for the fleet.

And last, but by no means least are our Swiss friends. Former Class President Charles Bueche, usually seen deep in conversation with anyone when not afloat.  

The current Swiss Champion, Robin Maeder (SUI 007, Scheurer G8)

Robin is a team Scheurer rider and is frequently seen, both at events and on A-Cat media, showing off their latest machine.  Most recently, after adding the Fiberfoam mast company to their armoury last year, Scheurer have just released a new mast design to glowing reports from those lucky enough to have tested it. This event will be the first big chance for us all to see it used in anger on the big stage.  We will report more back on it during the event proper.

So here we have it.  There will be others I have missed who will surprise the fleet and themselves, as there always are.   We are looking at another potentially beautiful event, in another beautiful venue, full of the beautiful people of the A-Class Catamaran fleets.  

What’s not to like?

The event starts on June 8th, with the practice race, and the event proper starts 13:00 on the 9th June, finishing on the 13th June.

Photos - Gordon Upton - www.guppypix.com