With the lastest info (and rumours) we have the following listing (sorted alfabetically on boat type):

-1- Chuck Harnden (1-up) [color:"red"] Blade F16 [/color]
-2- Matt / Gina McDonald (2-up) [color:"red"] Blade F16 [/color]
-3- Tom Shannon (1-up or 2-up) [color:"red"] Blade F16 [/color]
-4- Gordon Isco / Mike Hagan (2-up) [color:"blue"] Taipan F16 [/color]
-5- Seth Stern / Kelly Gray (2-up) [color:"blue"] Taipan F16 [/color]
-6- Hollis Caffee (1-up) [color:"blue"] Taipan F16 [/color]
-7- Hans Geissler (1-up or 2-up) [color:"red"] G-cat F16 [/color]
-8- Mystery crew on the G-cat F16 (probably 2-up) [color:"red"] G-cat F16 [/color]

-9- [color:"red"] Possibility ? [/color]: Mary and Rick White on their Taipan ?


Last time, at tradewinds, Hans G. arranged himself a very capable skipper. I don't know how he does it but if Hans can perform a similar trick this time that G-cat will be the boat to beat. All-hands-on-deck for all other crews. Major cool for a design so young.

This is indeed a great turn-out, as Seth said. All thanks to Matt McDonald, Vectorworks Marine and Hans Geissler. They are just the medicine that the doctor ordered.

Hey Tom, You could try taking Kirt Simmons along, he is in Arkansas and relatively close to you. In addition he has quite some experience on the Taipan (his own) and the superwing mast. Otherwise I'm sure Tim Bohan would not pass on sailing the Blade F16 once more; he should be pretty experienced with spi sailing as well.

Also Tom, when you are down there then beg, bride or twist an arm to get a demo sail on your blade with one of the more experienced F16 sailors. You only need about 30 to 45 minutes to spot all the little tricks with respect to superwing mast trim and spi sailing that will shave off months of your learning curve. Persons to look for are Jennifer, Chuck, Seth, Matt. I'm giving you also the same advice that I gave Bruce Barrs from Canada who flew in to do tradewinds 2006. When it is windy then pull the outhaul, downhaul and mainsheet tight. The latter two !REALLY! tight, simultaniously. The boat will calm down to a really relaxed feel and you'll increase speed enormously. It must feel as if the boat just wants to skid along accellerating with every puff and only lifting its hull in a slow motion kind of way. That is the groove you are looking for. In addition always pull a spinnaker on the downwind legs, this also calms the boat down in a blow, it is actually alot easier to sail downwind that way how strange that may sound. If you are anxious about the spi then just don't heat it up much and stay on a deep course with a full spinnaker.

To Jeffrey Woodard (Taipan F16 #216) from Atlanta I say :" if you won't come down to do this event then you never will !"

Wouter