This is certainly looking like a pretty cool event. I sure hope we get good coverage...

I'll post some updates from the cheap seats...

A class pdates would be appreciated.

1981; the tornado that i crewed on had the continuous trap system still there from the last crew and they were pretty much the fastest boat in the fleet. We kept it on for an attempted come back campaign. I never thought it was that dangerous, but i would have used the normal system if it had been up to me. My trap seat had a closed loop on it instead of an open hook. it's that open hook that has nearly drowned people.
In the Mischa photo, i see 2 battens in the way instead of a flap. Also it kind of looks like the clew attaches directly to the traveler?

HA...

What was old.... tried and true.... ie the hobie 16 style raised tramp.... Now used on a New A cat design at Worlds
A cat / Hobie 16 style
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8354518@N06/12337863685/in/photostream/

That boat has been around for awhile.

Is this legal?
[ ] maybe yes
[x] maybe no

Gives a whole new meaning to "casette deck".

I think the A-class requires that the daggerboards be inserted from the top of the deck in an effort to limit the complexity of the daggerboard shape. This is as opposed to having to insert an L-shaped foil from under the boat. I suppose that giant cassette technically meets the wording but probably not the spirit! Interesting work around, though.

(boy, these guys are hacking up some expensive boats!)

I though the cassette would be a good way to deal with the rules.. It seems it should be deemed legal as long as no "tools" are required. It would also seem to make a good testing platform for different configurations.

Apparently the problem is that the board still enters the cassette from the bottom, and the cassette is considered part of the hull...
IMHO it's getting a bit silly.

Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, it's a development class, but there are rules to keep the competition somewhat fair, right?

Not being a development class guy, it's hard to pick a side...

Mike

I guess it boils down to the intent of the rule...My perception is that it was designed to prohibit L-shaped foils and was really an attempt to keep the boats from full on foiling. The guys have figured out how to start tinkering with the foiling thing anyway in spite of the rule...but it's still not easy. At the time, I thought it was a creative way to make a simple rule to limit those foils. However, in hindsight, it might have been smarter to define the limits of the foil in geometric terms.

I can see that a fully foiling A-class, class, is probably in our near future.

From SA FP.

My interpretation from reading others is that Landy really did this as an experiment, so we can all see if the L-foils are faster than the C's and J's. Plenty of discussion on SA, the cassettes are a few kg weight penalty. He also purposely wanted to push the rules, to see if the technical committee would ban them...

I don't think these are going to be faster round the track, you have to lift the weather board ala Hydros and Groupama. I haven't seen any other photos of the boat to know if there is a trick board upfucker setup to make that efficient.

All I really know is this is going to be exciting to watch! Krantz you're on-site???

He's racing. shipped his boat a couple of months ago.

I thought the C Class guys had given up on foiling being faster upwind, on a standard windward/leeward course, a long time ago? Too much leeway or something? I know they are still doing it, but did they also change their course away from the traditional course?

From Mike on SA 2/5/14:

Landed yesterday morning. Plan was to set up the boat, get measured, and possibly go sailing. However, it was raining, blowing 30, and jet lag was kicking my a$$. So I checked in with the rest of Team USA, grabbed a bite, and called it a day.

Today, the sun is out, the forecast is for 10-15, and I hope to walk through measurement and go sailing this afternoon.

-Mike

Timbo, time to catch up to the latest event. Plenty of live coverage and interviews. Not going to spoon feed you, check out Groupama C.

Mike, have an awesome time, clearly having an epic year of sailing