A Class Cat National Regatta at Centro Velico Punta Ala – Summary
by Gordon Upton 2 Sep 03:06 PDT
31 August – 1 September 2024
C Class Cat National Regatta – The DN rig in action. Based on the DN Ice yacht rig, it aims to optimize upwind power control © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com
Groundbreaking new DN rig redefines the landscape of the class
With the nerves and excitement that come with the start of an event now behind them, the sailors at PuntAla Camping & Resort on Tuscany’s picturesque coast have begun to settle in. This may also be attributed to the southwesterly wind shift, which improved sea conditions. The choppy waters from the previous day had given way to a lovely, gentle wave pattern that racers expected. The wind built to a comfortable 10-11 knots, with typical warmth in the air.
The first race was organized without complication by PRO Claudio Bagnoli and his proficient race team. The race commenced smoothly as the fleet headed toward the top mark. Leading the pack with a solid 50-meter advantage was triple World Champion Stevie Brewin, sailing Exploder AUS 4. Following closely was Mischa Heemskerk, another triple World Champion known for his distinctively designed “DN” flexible rig, racing on DNA F1x NED 7. Hot on his heels was 2022 World Champion, Ravi Parent, sailing Exploder USA 76. All of them glided past the spreader mark, foiling well in the conducive conditions, and heading towards their jibe points on the left side of the course.
Most sailors recognized that the left side of the course was favorable. It is often said that if you do well on one tack, you should do just as well on the downwind leg. The fleet complied, while those who strayed to the right found themselves falling back in the standings.
The Open and Classic fleets were combined for this Italian National race, featuring around 30 boats, making it manageable for everyone. The longer legs suited the Open foilers, as those skilled in upwind foiling typically reached the mark first. Meanwhile, Classic fleet competitors with lower underwater drag benefitted from any Open boats that dropped off their foils. Leading the Classic group was Francisco Mainero on Exploder ITA 75, closely followed by Mathieu Verrier, SUI 44, who aimed to build on his strong opening day. Adding to the excitement was the lone female competitor, National Champion Astrid Janssens, BEL 17, who was also faring better than her previous day, although a few other competitors caught up with her downwind.
At the finish line, Stevie secured the win for the Open fleet, followed by Mischa and Darren Bundock, AUS 88, who managed to overtake Ravi. For the Classics, Francisco secured first place, trailed by Mathieu, with Stefano Sirri, ITA 7, in a commendable third position.
The subsequent two races unfolded similarly, although the wind gradually diminished. The Open boats managed to foil upwind, though conditions were marginal. The left side remained the favored route, creating an L-shaped course for competitors. Notably, outside the front runners, the Classic boats formed groups, competing fiercely for positions across the course, leading to intense duels. Any errant foiler who found themselves amongst them was quickly dealt with.
The regatta concluded with a narrow one-point margin separating the top three boats in the Open fleet: Mischa, Ravi, and Bundy. The Classics had a clear hierarchy, with Mathieu in charge, followed by Francisco and Andrea Ruffini ITA 15, resulting in many jubilant faces on the beach. This event served as an excellent kickoff for both fleets, setting them up for next week’s races.
Yet, the primary topic of discussion was Mischa’s innovative DN rig created by Holland Composites. This marked its competition debut, and Mischa is still adjusting to its nuances. However, his board rake system seemed problematic over both days, with belts and lines breaking due to his somewhat aggressive handling. Nevertheless, the rig performed comparably to the traditional ones, showing potential speed in optimal conditions. While downwind speed with the tightened mast control lines wasn’t significantly faster, both Ravi and Bundy enjoyed competing closely with Mischa, each taking turns winning.
Thus, opinions remain split regarding the DN rig during this regatta. It remains uncertain if Mischa will employ it in forthcoming races, as additional Open competitors are yet to arrive, meaning further testing and training are necessary. This is a Development Class, after all, which allows for evolution. While some claim it’s disrupting the class, others fully embrace it, but it has certainly sparked discussions. However, refrain from discarding existing masts just yet…
Full results can be found here.