A-Cats present @Eurocat 2014

Report by Tibo Laudren:
"The 2014 Eurocat had something special this year. Not only was this the opportunity for the flying phantom to make its debuts in his commercial mode but also the chance for 4 A Class to mix it up with F18s, F16s and other cats as a good training toward the French National and Europeans next June. Sailors were Jean Darnaude on his brand new "flying" DNA, Hervé Ledue, current French Champ, Pascal Tetard, ex-finnist and new comer to the class and myself, Tibo Laudren, sailing with my locally-made Askell A-cat. Only 4 of us, but still, 4 times more than last year when I was the only A among 200 cats....

The first day of racing got cancelled due to strong winds, but what an amazing week-end of regatta we had then! Sunny weather, winds from 6 to 12 knots for a maximum of 6 races and a physically demanding but exciting 28 miles raid around the isle of Houat. Racing in C1, the rating of the A in such class is extremely difficult to compete with against Vipers, Eagles, Nacra F16 and others, but we got what we were looking for: a valuable training with large fleet starting lines, serious tactics and boat handling in choppy water and unsteady condtions with boats and spinnakers all over the place. Consider us now ready for our coming Nationals !

By the end of the week-end and after answering dozens of questions from fellow cat sailors and visitors, we surely felt that the As are under the spotlights these days. Flying or not remains the perpetual question inside our class, but for all others outside, we already are up in the air !! It is hard now to not consider it our future....

As a final note, I would like to say that the Eurocat and the bay of Quiberon as its playground, could become a good starter for the European A Class Calendar next year. Besides being part of one of the largest cat racing event in Europe, it is also a great opportunity to show our boats around to all our cat racing friends, and potential future competitors ! See you next year ..."

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MV: "4 A-Class were present for this 2014 edition of the massive course racing & long distance regatta organized every year by Yacht Club Carnac.
Hervé Ledue, Tibo Laudren and Jean Darnaude participated on the C1 Interseries and an original Mayfly came from Poland also for the Long Distance, one not legally equipped with spi rig, but was intended for Raid.

I've been reporting the Eurocat for some years in the F18 and the other C series and I didn´t remember any As in the past. So it was a surprise to see 3 of them aligned while walking to the club on Friday and met Tibo, Hervé and Jean that were preparing their boats. Tibo told me he thought this was the time with more As at Eurocat.

On the water I was in the FP tender following the F18s, so it was hard to get some good pics of the A-Cats but got nice one from Jean.
They were racing in the C1 Interseries fleet along the F16s: Results Here

In the Long Distance I think Hervé (need to re check the video I shoot of the start) went in front with the FP. Nice sight seen the A leading that phase among a 160 boats starting lineup.

I highly recommend this event to A-Cat sailors, the venue is perfect, with not much waves and a good launch area at the Club or the near by beach. Official website for the event is www.yccarnac.com"