That`s right, F16 class will now have representation at the southern tip of Africa. After a fair amount of discussion between Wouter, myself and the South African Mosquito class chairman, I have decided to take on the responsibility of getting the F16 class "on the water" in Cape Town, South Africa. Initially the local class will consist of the Mosquito catamaran, fitted with spinnakers which comply with the F16 rules. The Australian sailors will know the boat, in most instances the boat is well within all the F16 rules, the boat is not optimised for F16 (slower than Taipan) but will compete as a dispensated boat under rule 5.1.1, within the "Open Formula 16 class" as per rule 2.9.1 We see this as the starting point, and will welcome all boats which qualify for F16 status to sail with us in any event organized under the F16 banner. This includes any fully optimised F16 designs whether local or visiting. Details of a performance equalisation system between the newer boats and the Mosquito will be finalised should this become necessary. For the initial period we will use the ISAF rating system. Our initial goal is to invite all 16ft boats to compete, in a local context this would consist of Mosquito with spinn. and Hobie 16 with spinn. These boats would form the basis of the class, with the aim of introducing fully optimised F16 designs into the class should these become available, and optimising the Mosquito platform to resemble the F16 designs more fully. This would in all honesty be a long-term goal. In open-class events we will be sailing against mainly Hobie 16, Dart 18, Hobie Tiger, Tornado, as these are the only well-supported classes locally - The ISAF handicapping system is currently in use at most of these events, ie we will not be racing head to head against F18s as we are not fully optimised F16`s & are not as fast. The first event at which we will be representing the F16 class will be at Saldanha Bay, approx. 100km north of Cape Town, over the Easter Weekend 18-21 April. This event is the Western Province Open Dinghy & Multihull Champs, and is a Provincial regatta, or what the Auzzies might refer to as a State Titles. We anticipate a class of 5 Mosquito`s with spinnakers. We are still under discussion with the event organisers with regard to our inclusion as the F16 class, as we are presently entered as Mosquito`s. This will help us to differentiate the spinnaker boats from those that choose to sail without kites in much the same way as the Australians have done. I will post updates with regard to this as they occur. We feel that the inclusion of the South African Mosquito class (with spinnakers) will be beneficial to both the Mosquito class and the F16 organisation both locally and internationally - From humble beginnings do great things occur. Who knows, perhaps the first F16 World Champs might be held halfway between Australia & USA ?
