The A-cat class is working pretty hard to market themselves and continuing what has been a pretty impressive growth. I don't fault them for going to Sailing Anarchy. It is a medium that reaches a different type of audience that I believe has a significant potential for continuing the class growth.

Why Rick wasn't invited to the A-cat event, I don't know - but I can promise that there is absolutely no bad blood on part of the A-cat association toward Catsailor (magazine or website). I asked several times throughout the week of several different people "Where the heck is Rick?" and got a pretty unified response of "I don't know". I suppose they just assume that because you're so close that you would have been there anyway. Next year I'll call and or (for what it's worth - I'm just a class member) I'll extend an invitation next year. Nobody can doubt the amount of energy and effort Rick and Mary put into the sport through their magazine and this website. The fact that he lives literally up the street should make it a no-brainer for both parties.

I also do know that the class purposefully moved the event around so as to not conflict with Tradewinds several years ago.

That A-cat event is pretty unique in the site, the sailors, and the type of event. The competition is actually pretty low key with more focus on tuning experimentation through competition. Lots of sailors are sharing tuning tips and although you would think tuning one sail was easy - it's anything but. I've learned quite a lot in the two years I've attended.

Several A-catters did transition over to Tradewinds last year on their a-cats but the a-cat event last year saw one or two blown out days where we didn't get any sailing in. There was talk from several a-catters making the trip up the road this year, but after sailing four straight days out of the Islander and not having a lay day between the two events to transition everything made it a little tricky. At least a couple came over to tradewinds to sail on different boats (myself and Mike Krantz)...and my hands are really showing the wear from 7 straight days of running the mainsheet in 12 to 20knots of breeze between an A (which we do sheet very hard) and a N20!