When going by the pre-register listing the Tradewinds regatta looks like this. (including latest corrections)


In total 49 Boats (and crews) with

Making class are : (35 out of 49 boats in total)

15 Formula 18's (as Cary Palmer will be sailing F16) This will be a fun fleet !
8 Nacra I-20's US version
6 Formula 16 (3 Blades, 2 Taipans, 1 G-cat on debut)
6 Hobie 16's

A-cats are expected to make class but currently have only one listed.

Rumours talk about alot of wind so we might be seeing more scenes like this :




Blade F18 mark 1 prototype speeding under spinnaker at the Souhern Aus F18 nationals


Not making class (14 out of the 49 boats in total)

3 Nacra 6.0 NA
2 Nacra 5.8 NA
2 18SM cat. 1 (Hans Geissler is listed as 3rd but will sail an F16)
2 H14 turbo
1 Hobie 17
1 Marstrom M20
1 ARC21
1 Dart 18 cat rigged (solo)

And as of yet :

1 A-cat (As Bret Moss will sail F16 with Hans Geissler, but definately more A-cats are expected by Rick)



I expect the 3 N6.0's, 2 N5.8's, 2 18SQ, 1 M20 and 1 ARC21 (9 boats) can well race eachother and have a fun fleet like that. However, Rick will have an issue with the 2 H14S, 1 H17 and 1 Dart 18U (4 boats). That will be a little bit of an orphaned class. If he does what he did in the past add all boats together and split this fleet down the middle based on ratings and have a high PN and Low PN fleet, then the Nacra 5.8NA or 18SQ boys will be put in with the Hobie 14's to act as filler and of course be forced to race the yellow (short) course otherwise everybody will be waiting on those H14's. Aayyy ! just having some fun here, guys, not to be taken too seriously

But that still leaves about at least 35 boats on the big course with 4 individual starts.

Looks like a fun event.

Good luck everyone !

Wouter