First let me congratulate Matt and Gina with the launch of their new boat. And allow me to congratulate the designers of Blade with this important step to full production. It is quite special that a design from 2 relatively unknown designers without support from a major boat builder makes it. We have got to remember that. Last time was the Flyer A-cat in 1999 before that we had the F18 class in the early 90's. It is quite rare and at all times it translates in a win for the sailors at larger as well. It is always the small companies or few lone guys that make to real breakthroughs and improve on the old stuff.

I know a guy who will be making a long and deep sleep tonight. He toughed it out when the Blade F18 raced its first race at the Australian F18 nationals and this time was no different. With 2 good first shows of both designs I think he got all that he could wish for. So to Phill Brander I say :"Good night, sleep tight"

To Matt I would like to say, you had a typical launch of a new boat. Last minute panic, stuff forgotten to bring along and some infancy illness playing up. I don't think any boat was launched differently. I know mine wasn't but it lead directly to AHPC offering a true F16. I'm sure the net effect of this launch with outweight any bad luck that is typical to a first launch. I know you enjoyed yourself on the water, that is clear enough.

With regards to F16 selling. I've been all over Matt for a while now to get this boat into Europe. This design has some serious potential over here and I without as good as no promo we get inquiries about it and have a few serious buyers already. Phill Brander and Ian Markovich really have made a good looking boat that has performance as well. It shows. I'm not to worried about selling it. I know a few Hobie 16, Dart 18 and Prindle 16 guys that would love to sail on this. And I know a few modern boat sailors that want to switch when a good deal comes along. Blade F16 is just that deal with the current exchange rate. One big boat builder could have had this design in its inventory but they decided otherwise. It is going to be their bad luck.

Now one final tweak and "getting it just right" round and the design will be fully ready to go and make a splash. Best part it for European is will cost about the same as a Hobie 16. Who said that technology, carbon and formula class rules makes a boat expensive ?

From a long distance I pretty exited, I've read to many private communication to believe that the boat is anything other than very good.

So now it the time to push through and make it happen.

That leaves me to Thank Robi for taking excellent pictures, I know where these will end up in a few days. Yep on the harddrives of several interested European parties. You know, I wouldn't be surprise if the local M20 dealor would take the Blade F16 as an extension of his product line. A lot of potential and those pictures will do great in getting this going.

So congratulations to all.

Wouter