Got my first ever Fly Tornado yearbook yesterday. Pretty interesting stuff in it. Detailed day by day accounts from competitors of each major event since mid-2004. Lots of photos too. It's great to see not only who finished where, but also what sail brands were in use across the fleet. From the measurements section I can now see my rudders are way heavier than any other team in the fleet! That's why I'm so SLOW ;^]
In the history section, there is a summary of Tornado events and production numbers for each and every year since 1968. Remarkably, 2004 saw only 12 boats built...less than half the next lowest annual production number (and 2004 was an Olympic year!). I wonder if this number only accounts for a portion of the year before the final numbers were submitted to the publishers.
I didn't know there was another verison of the Tornado used in the original trails for the prototype B-cat selection...a solid wingmast version with unstayed rig. Although it was signifcantly faster than the sloop rig boat in the light wind trials, the mast failed in the higher breezes...probably a good thing as a wingmast would have been hugely impractical in the long run.
Something like 750 paid memberships worldwide and only about 40 voting in the recent ballots (carbon mast etc.)...pretty sad!
They have me listed as a USA member...got to get that corrected for next year's edition...
Anyone in North America wanting to become a member, contact the NATA president Alain Dubuc at dubucopticiens@videotron.ca or shoot me an email...I can forward applications from Alain's last newsletter. The fee $60 per annum per person or a boat license is $120 (allows boat owner plus different crews to participate in events)
Mike.