We are one week away from the first measurement day for the 2003 A-Class North American Championship with racing taking place Nov 12-14 at Pontchartrain Yacht Club in Mandeville, LA. This regatta is shaping up to be certainly the most competitive multihull regatta in North America this year. We are expecting a fleet of 35-40 boats based upon the pre-entries we have received and the verbal confirmation from the fleets around the country. This is an excellent turnout for the class.
The entry list includes:
Pete Melvin - A-Class World and North American Champion (1997 and 2001), Tornado Olympian (1988)
Ben Hall - A-Class North American Champion (1998 and 2000)
Jay Glaser - A-Class North American Champion (1999), Tornado National, North American, and World Champion, 1984 Olympics Tornado Silver Medalist, P-19 National Champion (1992)
Pease Glaser - Tornado North American Champion, 2000 Olympics 470 Silver Medalist, 2000 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, P-19 National Champion (1992), Intercolleigate All American
Steve Clark - 2002 International Canoe World Champion, owner of Vanguard Sailing Boats (builders of the Laser, Sunfish, Vanguard 15, and 49er)
Gary Knapp - Intercollegiate All American, Flying Dutchman National Champion, ex-Tornado sailor
Lars Guck - top Tornado sailor, International Canoe World Champion, Intercolleigate All American
Johnny Lovell - National and North American Tornado Champion, 1996 and 2000 Olympian (Tornado), recent Little America's Cup Champion, Intercolleigate All American
Charlie Ogeltree - National and North American Tornado Champion, 1996 and 2000 Olympian (Tornado), recent Little America's Cup Champion, Intercolleigate All American, Melges 24 National Champion
The fleet is deep! We have competitors coming from California, Michigan, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, Canada, New Zealand, New Jersey, Virgina, Rhode Island, and Louisiana.
The regatta will be the debut of the new Melvin and Morelli A2 A-class. This boat is an evolution of the successful Flyer design. Designed by Pete Melvin, the goal is to produce a boat that is as fast as the current Flyer design in heavy wind and waves yet be as fast downwind in lighter conditions as the very successful "Waterat" design that won the A-Class Worlds in 1997.
Stay tuned to the Catsailor Forums. We will try to post regatta updates next week.
Bob Hodges
Regatta Chairman
A-Class USA 147