The 2009 A-Class Catamaran North American Championship gets underway this weekend at Fort Walton Yacht Club in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Measurement begins on Sunday and continues through Monday evening. Racing is Tuesday through Friday and the schedule has 11 races planned. The long range weather forecast looks great with temperatures in the mid-80’s each day and a slight chance of rain showers. Organizers are optimistic for an 8-14 knot sea breeze every day.
There are currently 36 competitors pre-registered with a head count of 8-10 that will register on the weekend so the fleet size should be in the mid-40’s. This will be one of the best continental championships ever for the class with the depth of sailors that will be competing. They include:
Lars Guck, Bristol, RI – 4-time winner of the this event, 2nd in 2007 A-Class WC, past International Canoe World Champion, Intercollegiate All American, and other titles.
Pete Melvin (Newport Beach, CA) – two time A-Class World Champion (1997 and 2007), past Tornado Olympian, past IYRU Youth World Champion
Randy Smyth (Fort Walton Beach, FL) – 1984 and 1992 Tornado Silver Medalist, 2007 Volvo VX 40 Series Winner, Tornado World Championship, many Corsair National championship wins, arguably one of the best sailors in the world.
Pease Glaser (Huntington Beach, CA)– 2004 470 Silver Medalist, past A-Class North American Champion, past Tornado National and North American Champion, past Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year
Jay Glaser (Huntington Beach, CA) – 1984 Tornado Silver Medalist, past Tornado World Champion, past Tornado Nationals and North American Champion, IOC Coach of the Year
Matt Struble (Bay City, MI) – Two time and current DN Iceboat World Champion, F-17 National Champion, two time winner of US Sailing Alter Cup, past Worrell 1000 Champion
Ben Hall (Bristol, RI) – past A-Class North American Champion, current A-Class Midwinter and Winter Circuit Champion, master spar designer and builder for the A-Class and many other high performance boats
The PRO for the event is Tom Garner, the regatta chairman is Sam Grant. Sponsors include EMERALD SAILS, BLUESTREAK BOATWORKS, RONSTAN, HALL SPARS AND RIGGING, ZHIK, MERCURY BOAT CHARTERS, SMYTH SAIL DESIGN, BEACH LIQUORS, and (last but not least) SAILING ANARCHY. The regatta website is
http://www.fwyc.org/Regattas2009/acatna/index.html. 
