Wouter,

Comparing DN Ice Boats with landyachting is almost funny. DN class is well respected by all serious water-sailors. Karol (Poland) and Struble (USA) are great examples of the type of sailor involved (both multitime champs). Any "world-class" landyachters?

Even more crazy-comparing F16 World Champs with A-Class World Champs. Who is the F16 WC? Ashby, Melvin, or Booth would do "OK" against them-YA THINK? Maybe even Smyth, Struble, Guck, Hodges, Hall........?

HA HA

You mentioned Struble being given the benefit of the doubt when comparing favorably to John Casey or Heemskert (sp). I think that the last race I know that Casey and Struble raced against one another was at a Alter Cup which Struble won every race in the series. I could be wrong......

Regardless, sailors (keyboard jockeys) like you and myself are not worthy of making "calls" on some of the skill levels discussed. I am a "mid-fleeter" and I did see you sail a few years ago in Georgia. Have you been on a boat with any of these sailors or even in the same end of the fleet? Need I continue?

Isn't it a lot like running though? Sprinters don't necessarily do well at 400, even less so at longer distances. I'd guess the marathon is in a class by itself.

pgp,

Good analogy.

Smyth, Guck and Struble have won both at the big distance racing and at major bouy racing, as has Mischa.

Steve and PGP,

Those guys must be "bi-athletes"...haw haw...

Seriously, many catsailors do well in both the long hauls and around the cans.

Good luck to all the racers in both events. Hope the wind picks up (not too much-no thunderstorms please) for the Tybee folks, as it seems painfully light now.

The Tybee group is doing a great job on the "play by play". I am having trouble finding out anything about the A-Cat Nationals during the day.

I don't think someones sexual preference has anything to do with it!

Eduard Zaunen had to contend with seasickness and vomiting yesterday and still came in first! Given that dehydration is always a concern, his physical conditioning must be pretty good. And, since he appears to be the oldest competitor on the course, his grit is not in question.

I've never had to deal with that racing around the cans. Got a little quezy once, between races.

Maybe we could put off the discussion about F18 vs. A-Cat sailors until the third week in September as the Formula 18 North Americans will be finished by then. The event is Sept 8-12, 2009. Those planning attendance: Jay and Pease Glaser, Pete Melvin, Misha, all, at least most of, the West Coasters, a container containing as many as 10 sailors will be coming from Mike Krantz place, make sure you contact him to get on board. There will be Tigers, Wild Cats, Infusions, Capricorns and I do not know what else.

Most important to this subject is there will be A-Catters sailing on Formula 18s. I can tell you now, they are good. We have already experienced this at some of our regattas. There are an incredible addition of thoroughbreds entering the Formula 18s this year.

Later,
Dan

Dan,

Yep, that would go a loooong way in settling the argument.

Wouter

I'll take you all on, by myself, with my right arm tied behind my back, after a bottle of rum, on a Wednesday!

rawr!

Damn! After the day you just put in you're still rarin' to go.

All the best.

Way to go Velocity!!!

Who is Steve B?, with 4 posts? God's thoat' reveal thy true self, or be condemned to life with out wind!

Coming soon to a theatre near you "Devils and Deamons" don't miss it. Based on the novel by Tom B.

The A Cat class is loaded with talent from all corners of the world and a well deveoped international class.

The Tybee 500 can't attract the same talent since it is a 5 day logistics intense race. I don't think the question has a objective answer. IMHO.
Eric A

You're all talk. Go to bed Trey.

Trey I am going to take that to mean that you will be here for the event. I will alert the media!

Trey keeps using some lame excuse about being too big for a "toy Boat", so he wont even race against us here.

I say he's scared

Me too.

I would LOVE to have a bit of time on an A class. Anyone what to lend me one for a season?

I would sail an A cat to find out just how much I suck apparently, but I can't even compete with these "hacks" so what do I need to go blow $30k on a new boat for?

Tad, Hang in there! You may not be winning the race, but you are doing a fine job! Keep it up. Go Velocity!

I've got a spare A in the shed you could borrow. However the convict passages from the Old Dart ran out the century before last so you'll just have to spend 20 hours flying out.

Cheers
John Dowling
AUS 9