Monday, October 13, 2008 -- Key Sailing, Pensacola Beach, Florida - Photo by Philip Mumm

Day one of the Formula 18 North Americans got started with three races. 33 F18's including boats from the USA, Canada, and Australia were registered. Since the F18's are a rule formula class there were several manufacturers represented including Nacra (Infusion), Hobie (Tiger), and AHCP (Capricorn).

After the first three races the team of Robbie Daniel/Hunter Stunzi are off to a fast start with three bullets on their Capricorn. Click on "Read Full Article" to see the rest of day one results.

The F18 Class is got started Saturday Oct. 11 with check-in and measurements. See F18 NA Schedule

Pictures from the Pensacola Florida event are already coming in. More will be added each day. Check back often, pictures are being added directly from the beach.

Pictures from the F18 North Americans If you have a website, you may link to that page so people can find the pictures.

This event has attracted some big names in beachcat racing and is being hosted by Key Sailing on their beautiful beach.

The Juana Good Time Regatta was held this past weekend, Sept. 5-7, 2008 and as the name says...

Discuss your good times at the Juanas Pagodas in our forums here.

I didn't get many pictures, just had a disposable camera with me, so If you were at the event and have pictures, please share them by creating an album inside the 2008 Juana Good Time Regatta photo album here.

Qingdao / China, Olympic Tornado Sailing - On Thursday August 14 2008, the Dutch Tornado-duo Booth/Nieuwenhuis decided not to use the heavily discussed Chupacabra Code Zero during the Olympic regatta in Qingdao. That means they will leave their upwind gennaker onshore and take their normal seized sail out. As mentioned last week, it was a weather dependant call and the forecast does not look favourable for the smaller and flatter Code Zero. There will be three or four windy days and the breeze will come from the north, instead of the southeast, which is the predominant direction in Qingdao. The Tornado class will start racing tomorrow. Today’s practice race was cancelled due too a lack of wind.

'The risk is too big', said Pim Nieuwenhuis this afternoon. 'The forecast shows sixteen knots tomorrow and even more on Sunday. In that case, we have a better chance with the standard set of sails. Normally, the light breeze comes from the southeast, but for next week it looks totally different.' Their new sail was developed for typical Qingdao conditions. “We have always said that our decision would depend on the weather forecast”, declared Nieuwenhuis.

All teams are allowed to measure in two gennakers, including a spare one. The Dutchmen got a normal and small gennaker stamped and had to announce their final choice today at 6 PM local time. However, their American partners Lovell/Ogletree measured in two Code Zero’s and have no choice left. Nieuwenhuis: “By the end of the week, we will see who was right.”

Switching

Qingdao / China, August 10 2008 - On Sunday August 10 2008, the Dutch Tornado-duo Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis are to complete the measurement procedures tomorrow. Today, the sailors presented their catamaran and widely discussed sail in the burning heat of the Olympic harbour in Qingdao. That means they plan to use the upwind gennaker at the 29th Olympic Games. The class measures looked carefully at the equipment. The Dutchmen have to come back tomorrow morning for the last details, such as correcting weight. As soon as everything is complete, the measurement can be concluded.

“It is progressing well”, said Mitch Booth this afternoon. “We have to finalize some details, but that is not unusual. We presented our small gennaker, which goes as planned. They started measuring the sail, but they haven’t stamped it yet, since the measurement is not final.” To the question whether the upwind gennaker is legal, Booth responded: “The ISAF announced that if the concept fits within the measures, it is fine. To us, it is more a question whether the sailing conditions will be ok. According to our forecast so far, there will be one or maybe two days above our range of eleven knots. The circumstances will be perfect during the rest of the time. Luckily we have one more day to monitor the forecasts.”

According to Booth, the Americans Lovell/Ogletree, training partners of the Dutchmen, will have their measurement on August 13th. The Australian favourites Bundock/Ashby will be next. Both teams have a code zero, but it remains the question whether they will use it. Booth: “I think they all look at us.”

The Olympic Tornado regatta will start on Friday August 15 2008.