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 ?

Regards
Steve Mellet
Mosquito #2001
"Kwiksilver"

I want to welcome the SA F16 / Mosquito class to the now trully international F16 class. I know, early beginnings and modest numbers but never the less the foundation has been layed and I can only see this class grow over time.

I would like to thank Steve for immediately setting up a calender for the F16 class in SA for 2003. I have put these on my list and will soon make a webpage out of the individual F16 events (next to events of brother classes like the Taipan, Mosquito and Spitfire classes)

Of course Steve you will need to name a inaugural event for your class; Am I correct in assuming that the Saldanha Bay event will be the one ?

As stated the South African situation is special as their main classes have historically been the H16 and Dart 18 with smaller Tiger and Tornado classes.

In my opinion the South African situation is a perfect example of the potential of equal performance classes which is still one of the class goals of the F16 class. Bigger fleets of equal or compairable racing.

The Dart 18 has added a spi a few years ago and there is talk of H16 doing the same. As these strickt single manufacturer one-design classes will never vote in the spi as the new standard setup the F16 class is a great solution. As done with the Taipans, the normal One design classes stay as they are and the sailor wanted to add a spi can do so under the F16 rule. End result everybody is happy and no old succesful classes are split over having a spi or not. The three classes are close enough in rating to have first-in-win races.

The second point is that by having a spi, similar setup to Tiger and Tornado, these Dart 18, H16 and Mosquito platforms will be more fairly rated relatively too the Hobie Tigers and Tornado's making handicap racing more exiting. Under the assumption of reasonable stabil conditions of course as a increasing wind will still favour the slower boats and vice versa. But in normal 45 minute bouy races this should be to big of a factor.

I'm hopefull that later in 2003 we may welcome a 5th area to join the F16 class effectively making us a true international class by ISAF definition.

With respect to a having the first F16 Worlds :

Behind the scenes we're descreetly investigating this possibility for (early or late) 2004.

The class had set following minimal conditions for organising a F16 worlds :

-1- A minimum of 3 different continents with their own national (continental) championship must be represented.

-2- An absolute minimum of 10 participants must attend the first F16 World championship

-3- A minimum of 3 different F16 designs must compete in the event.

-4- The vast majority of the designs enterd at the worlds must have a speed potential within a margin of 1 min. when compared to the F18's. (effectively this means that these boats must have a texel rating of 104 or faster)



The South African guys will satisfy all goals except goal -4- but after a quick polling of the builders it was found that it should be able to put up a few fully optimized charter boats for our South African friends who wish to attend.

According to the forum Poll held on the F16 WORLDs location :

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/vie...mp;o=&vc=1&poll=1042300988Wouter

most F16 class members choose to hold the First F16 championship in an area of good F16 presence.

At this time the location with the best cards is Australia and South East Australia or Rottnest Island in particular. This should be welcome news to the SA sailors. It is not halveway but close enough for them. Hopefully with these locations will be able to attract Glenn Ashby, Steve Brewin to the championships in addition to Taipan champs like de Van Kerchhofs, Williams, Cooks and Collins as well as mr B. Chapman who apperently was extremely quick on the Taipan cat rigged.

Condition looks to be satisfied easily enough : USA and AUS are already in compliance, SA is coming into compliance soon, Only EU and South East Asia and we can invited 5 regional champions to the event.

Condition 3 and 4 must be able to satisfy too. Taipan 4.9 spi qualifies, Stealth F16 will too, Blade F16 will be the 3rd. With a little luck we may welcome 3 different One-offs to the event too. Stewarts, Harries, and my own.

Tricky part will be arranging the shipping, but we have a guy in the class now who can do wonders with sponsorships and has done wonders with it in the past.

To give everybody a quick run-down on the current IDEA dealing with the First F16 worlds championship.

Location : Area with high F16 presence and good wind conditions (highest ranking Australia; Rottnest Island)

Qualifiers : Each 2004 regional F16 championship; preferably a US,, AUS, SA, EU and South Asia. Changes are we can arrange for something like 3 to 5 charter boats.

Time : late 2004

How does that sound Steve ?

Wouter