I was at Forster this year and it was one of the best of the last 25 years. Taipanfc is spot on with his surmising about the clip. The complete DVD is great and well done by the Wildcat organisors. I was in the race and just behind that part of the clip. No reaches - all W/L's and Stevie Brewin on the A was coming up to the windward mark on the layline. The Blade had overlaid the mark and was footing in. Incidentally, the Blade was in a different start group from the A's and was a lap behind as they started later. It's a great looking boat and very well built. I believe it is futile to make too many comparisons with A's as it's different concept of boat with a totally different sail plan. I don't think Gary will ever suggest that he could beat Stevie on a beam reach with the main only. Anyway, the Blade is a lovely boat and certainly a step forward from the ex-Purple Helmet A he modified to be an F16. It was an ex-AHPC prototype and a bit of a dog downwind in A format. I sailed it in a Victrian State Titles and it was great upwind and off the pace downhill - bit of nostalgia there!

Sail hard and have fun.
John Dowling
A Class AUS 917
Stingray 589
(and love to get an F24)