Ok what A Cat designs were found to be superior at the recent A Cat worlds, what worked and what didn't? I know I heard a lot hype about the A Cat designs but have not heard what worked out and what did not. Also what boat brands did the top 10 sail?
First I think what became clear is those who were dominant in the Class were those who dominated the regatta. Here are the top 10 sailors and platforms.
1-Glenn Ashby – Geltek Flyer II – Fiberfoam mast – Ashby sail
2-Lars Guck – A3 – Fiberfoam mast – Glaser sail
3-Pete Melvin – A3 – Hall mast – Glaser sail
4-Luc Dubois – Scheurer – Fiberfoam – Ashby
5-Mitch Booth – Vectorworks XJ – Hall – Glaser
6-Charlie Ogeltree – Vectorworks XJ – Hall – Glaser
7-Scott Anderson – Geltek Flyer II – Fiberfoam – Ashby
8-Murray Philpott – Geltek Flyer II – Fiberfoam – Ashby
9-Andrew Landenberger – Marstrom M5 – Marstrom – Landenberger
10-Eugenio Calabria – Eigner Flyer II – Fiberfoam – Ullman (Italy)There is nothing radical about the equipment above. It is all standard and available and certainly proves that the best sailors who were prepared and practiced won. The wing sail was a very courageous effort by Ben Hall and it will not be the last time we see it. It was very average upwind but appeared to be very good downwind especially in light to medium winds. I think Ben’s results will only get better as he spends more time with the rig. It will probably come down to a cost-benefit analysis as to whether more sailors go in this direction. Questions about durability and ease of rigging and storage will certainly be factors. One thing is for certain though, the wing and Ben’s platform won the COOLEST BOAT award hands down. by Bob Hodges
I think personally that we don't should look to much to the professional sailors and there type of boats. It is more interesting to look at the amatuers who where there and not spending all there time on sailing boats. When you take the top 3 or maybe 5 they will go fast ob every type they will sail. If they swap boats then the results will be the same, personal i think Glen is still the best with the most hours on an A cat and therefore difficult to beat, when he is not start focussing on only the A class the gap is bigger then it was now, we have also to that the skills of Pete and Lars is extreme good.
When you look at the amateurs then the difference is much more interesting and you will see more difference ( still have to find this out because of lack of time) in the boat types and the rigs and masts used. I think the places 7 till 25 is the most intersting area to look and see what is happening there.
Regards,
Hans
A cat NED-7
PS.
I sure must say that the event was superb and all the volunteers did an extreme good job to get the event to a higher level. Thanks for the great time.
If you look at the A-Cat Friday posts you will find all of the results. I think though that it is fair to state that most of the fleet is amatuer. Lars runs his business GuckInc on a daily basis and Pete is a Designer, neither has the time to be a professional sailor.
A lot of the sailors were impressed with the Scheurer platform and also the platform Ben used (Peter Cogan's and Ben's variation on the BIM) but clearly the sailor was more important than the equipment. Also realize no boat/mast/sail can be optimal for all conditions- they will tend to differ on wind, wave, etc. but a great sailor can minimize these shortcomings and maximize their advantages.
As to
professionals
- I agree most of the competitors were not full time professional
sailors
but I think anyone who makes their living from the sailing industry, and who stands to benefit (potentially) from their sailing is not an
amateur
like someone who has no financial interest (except to keep these other people employed!) in their sailing. Pete certainly has benefitted financially from the A2/A3's race wins in the past!
Kirt (Pure amateur at this point! SAILBOAT - def. A hole in the water into which you pour money and it never fills up) <img src=
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What is the difference between a Geltek Flyer II and a Eiger Flyer II ? Same design? Same factory? Same construction method? Same setup/accessories? Same price?
The difference between the two is that the Geltek is build in Australia in license of the German (Aicher&Egner)company who did a hull update from the Flyer I version.