Dear All,

As you all maybe had seen on the forum is that the Global Challenge in Singapore is cancelled. I want to thank David again for his effort he did to try to get it organised.
Never the less the F16GC things it is necessary that there will be a major F16 event is needed to get the class to a higher international level.
This is one of the reasons why we did some investigation to try to get a Global Challenge organised at the sailing club of Zandvoort (The Netherlands). After a meeting with the club board there where enthusiast to help the F16GC with the organisation of the Global Challenge 2007 .
So we are proudly to pronounce that the F16 Global Challenge will be held at the WVZandvoort (Watersport Vereniging Zandvoort) in beginning of August 2007.

Because of the short time the exact details are not ready yet but will come soon.

If you are interested to come please send an e-mail to HansKlok@formula16.org or to John Alani at JohnAlani@formula16.org

I also want to ask you to keep an eye on the F16 website because there will be more information available soon.

See for some info the sailing club website
http://www.wvzandvoort.nl

It should be cheaper to organise a container from the US to Holland than to Singapore shouldn't it? Can we expect some US F16s for the first part of August 2007?

What about boats from Asia and/or Australia? Any appetite for this one guys?

I'm assuming that we can count on those mainland Europe F16s to embark on a little journey to Zandvoort for some fun, sailing and socialising?

For UK F16s, I've checked with Stena Line (Harwich to Hook)and a return will cost between £225 and £285 depending on time of sailing. This is for a car, trailer and two adults. On board accommodation is extra. If we know how many are travelling we can pro bably organise a discount and it gets even cheaper per boat if some trailers go two-up with 4 adults in a vehicle. We could also investigate a bigger stacked trailer with a big 4x4 to pull it and see if this cuts costs further.

Talk to us, guys, and let's see if we can get a total of 40 boats or better to Zandvoort!!

Hans & John,
That sounds like a great idea.
I really enjoyed the friendly relaxed atmosphere at the Zandvoort club when I was there in 2004 and I was thinking of trying to make a return trip. I even chased up the cost of a 40ft container in the hope of encouraging some others to come along.
The quote I rxd was 2,400 USD to ship a 40ft container from Adelaide to Antwerp with another 509 USD to move the container from Antwerp to Zandvoort.
Seems like a good price to me just need to get some people together to fill it with boats and the cost would be quite reasonable.

Regards,
Phill

I'd imagine you would have a lot more success numericaly holding the event in Europe whilst the class is still in its infancy. After 12 years and the F18 class exploding internationaly, we are only now seeing an F18 Worlds hosted outside Europe.

I would recommend hosting the event as close to Texel’s dates as possible, hoping to attract international competitiors using Texels ‘pullin power’.

Good luck and may you have fair winds.

Thanks for that idea and your good wishes Stephen.

Unfortunately, the 30th Round Texel is set to take place on 23rd June 2007 - over a month before the dates we have been offered for the F16 Global Challenge.

Naturally I will be there, it is my home club afterall. This is a bit of a surprise as you guys have kept this well secret. Normally my intelligence network will have picked up on something like this but this time it didn't.

Naturally I'll have some obligation to help out in organising as for me the travel time and expenses are close to zero. Luckily I'm also the race officer for the Zandvoort club so I think part of my volunteer work will be in that area.

So John and Hans, were do you want me ? Please do not plan a too full schedule for me as I still have to do my thesis work around that time.

I think a good turn-out is to be expected.

I say lets make this work !

Wouter

Wouter, there was no deliberate effort to keep this secret. For sometime we had been looking at other venues for future championships. The cancelling of Singapore just meant that we had to act.

From the stories I hear from the mumbles event I would consider that to be a very good venue !

nicely sheltered water, something that Zandvoort is not.

On the other points, I was just joking around. But indeed I knew nothing of it, but you won't hear me complain about the decision to have fallen on my home club.


Wouter

Hi John
I am fairly interested. I guess I wont be packing my Dry-suit away after the Winter if we're sailing in the North Sea.

No Mark, you're wrong! You're VERY interested -and I won't hear otherwise!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is this an issue "we" should be worrying about; given that a fair number of the boat that would attend (me included) will have fixed rudders, is Zandvoort the best place ?

How bad is it. Can we get off the beach with an onshore F4-5 (say).

Put me down as a maybe untill I know more about the area.

I have only sailed at Catwijk and Texel and Zandvoort looks similar.


Would somewhere on the Isselmeer be better as launching should be easier ?

Zandvoort would be exactly similar to Katwijk. Although I think our club is much prettier and we are better located with respect to the town. But the beach and sandbars and surf are pretty identical.

If we hold the event in mid-summer then I don't think the surf will be much of an issue. But Hans is way longer a member at this club then I am and I respect his judgement unconditionally.



It is never the wind but the seastate that determines this. Mostly I can get off the beach just fine in these winds. Also the predominant winds are south-west and thus parallel to the shore line.

I'm sure things are considered and I leave it too Hans and his GC. I really can't interfere here. But even if we do switch venues, holland is so small that it won't much difference in your travel plans anyway. Ijsselmeer is only 30 km away for example.

Wouter

Could be an excellant opportunity to defend the F16 Nations(Welsh)Cup, depending on the proximity of the Bar of course.

Further info about the Global Challenge will follow also ofcourse on the website. To sail on the Northsea is always a challenge and as Wouter told the most common wind direction is South West and this will give not to much problems because you can sail halfwind through the surf. The wind strength is mostly the biggest problem on the water it self because of the waves. The reason why he event is planned in this period of the year is that the water is at a good temperature and the storms and strong winds are not that common in August. Ofcourse this is one of the elements we can not control but from the past we no this is the best time of the year, one of the reasons why the REM race is sailed in this period (see website of the club).
When you have a look at the club website ( http://www.wvzandvoort.nl) you get an idea how the club looks and there is also a webcam on the page where you can see how the conditions are now.

I will be there
Jaap <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hi All,

The event dates are set please read below and put this in your agenda so you will no miss this.

Friday 10 th August Boat check in and weighting
Saterday 11th August Boat check in and weighting
Sunday 12th August Boat check in and weighting , opening ceremony and practice race
Monday 13th August Race 1 and 2
Tuesday 14th August Race 3 and 4
Wednesday 15th August Race 5 and 6
Thursday 16th August Race 7 and 8
Friday 17th August Race 9 and Price giving and closing ceremony.

On Saterday 18 and Sunday 19th the club itself is organising a 2 day event (around 100 boats) and we can do also compete with that if there is interest. This has nothing to do with the Global Challenge but is a yearly returning event from the club.

The details for boat check in will be follow later in the program information.

The social event will also follow later, we are working on it now.

Keep also an eye on the F16 website this is going to be the place where all official information will come.

If you guys need some flyer/graphics work I volunteer to do it.

Only if you turn up in person (with boat) so we can say thankyou!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That would be very nice. But I highly doubt I will be able to. I am moving summer of 06 and we hope to purchase a second home. So I must save every penny I can.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Nobody ever mentions the most important things like Zandvoort is a Nudist Beach and does the Club House have a Balcony? forget the Bar.

Hi Guys,

lets make it work and count me in <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />!

regards,

Frank
Blade NED 013

That is a "yes" and "yes". Not to forget that there is a gay meeting spot as well for the sailors who care. It is afterall the Netherlands guys. Anybody want to roll himself a joint ?

Wouter

Wow, those are unusual incentives for going to a regatta. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Preparing for the Gay Olympics I persume <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jeez, I've forgotten how! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm. I hear memory problems are one of the side effects. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

HAHAHAHAHAHAH! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi all,

am always very keen to check out the scenery when travelling in OZ. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Maybe it's time I broadened my horizons, the seaside scenery in Zandvoort sounds very attractive <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />.

More reasons to attend the Global Challenge are popping up all the time <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

Don't no if the wife will be able to make it though <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Regards Gary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I can tell you their scenery is only exceded by their hospitality. Oh, and the wind and water are good too! I will try to make it as well, boat or not, I can always have fun watching.

John, I address this to you simply on the basis of language commonality!? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

The first thing that came to my mind was to ship my boat there, then down to Spain, and sell it! Buy a new Blade when I get home.

Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

A suggestion Pete:
Don't bother shipping your boat over and then on to Spain. Sell yours in the US, buy a Stealth and either myself or John would take it to Zandvoort. Compete the event and the ship the Stealth back in the same contain as the "Other" US boats. You would save 1000's of Dollars and have a boat with loads of carbon fibre in lieu of aluminium!

Count me in!



Those prices look remarkably good compared to what I paid last time I made the journey. Are there any restrictions such as when we book them?

Paul

I've just looked at the Stena Line website and they currently have a promotion on for day-time sailings. It might be more expensive at the beginning of August, but that price is in the right ballpark for a DAY sailing in 2006.

Overnight will be more expensive, as no doubt will be next year given the price of fuel, but no-idea how much as they currrently are showing zero availibility for 2007 !

Off the top of my head, overnight was more expensive in that accommodation was compulsory and started at £40-50 each way (for two people sharing), which is a similar price to taking the fast boat, and anyone who's into fast cats should probably do that at least once. When I collected my Blade, I missed the ferry on the way back so caught the cat, and overtook the boat that we missed at 40kts <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The other alternative is Calais or Dunkirk - I went out that way. Takes a similar amount of time overall, but with a greater choice of crossing times. Probably a similar price once you include petrol.

Paul

Mark's suggestion of ordering a Stealth, sailing it at Zandvoort and shipping home afterwards seems quite a good one. It used to happen all the time in the Olympic classes in the 80's. A cheap way of getting an overseas boat imported.

In practical terms though, what makes you think it would be 'easy' to sell your Blade in Spain? Many of the more established classes - both mono and cats have a thriving post-championship market and I've even been to events where I know that the 'favourites' boat(s) are already pre-sold for delivery after the event! I don't think this is the stage we are at in F16 - yet!

Another option to consider - there may be a container to come from Oz. IF the Cap F16 is ready AND someone wants one, delivery to Zandvoort would be ideal. The boat could then be shipped back to wherever in the container with the other boats. Of course, it doesn't just apply to the Capricorn, you could just as easily apply the principle to any of the designs. I'm sure Matt/Hans could arrange for new Blades in the US container, or JP could deliver new Stealths to Holland. A 'worlds' is and always has been a great opportunity for upgrading/replacing boats and gear.

Any Firm(er) dates yet ?

I might try and turn in into a Family Holiday (Not sure the wifee will go for a "boys" week away).

Preliminary dates:

Friday 10 Aug Measuring boats

Saturday 11 Aug Measuring boats

Sunday 12 Aug Opening Ceremony around 11am
Practice race start around 2pm

Monday 13 Aug 2 races

Tuesday 14 Aug 2 races

Wednesday 15 Aug 2 races

Thursday 16 Aug 2 races

Friday 17 Aug 1 race (poss Medal race)
Prize giving around 4pm and closing ceremony.

[color:"red"] All to be confirmed within the next few weeks. [/color]

Well, it doesn't have to be a "boys" week away to her. I mean Zandvoort is right smack in the centre of the Rimcity as well the ring of cities that have almost fused together in the west of the Netherlands. There is the Frans Hals (Dutch 17th century painter) museum and the Typer Museum (oldest museum in Holland) in Haarlem (10 km away), Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (20 km away) and a score of other interesting sites there plus big shopping streets. Then of course the Hague is only 25 km south of Zandvoort and Rotterdam (architecture) is fartest but still close at 50 km. Then the Zandvoort dune area is one of the more pretty dune area's in the Netherlands and bicycles are easy and cheap to rent. You can cycle in these protected area's for miles and miles. Then of course Zandvoort has a large Casino just a single km away from the beach catamaran club house; you can walk to it.

I think there is enough to do when hubby is going sailing. Unless she really wants you there with her when she does these things.

Wouter

No offense, but that doesn't make cents to me! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As long as I'm doing F16, I'll stay with the Blade.

Wouter,

It's the kids at 4 and 6 that will be the problem.....

Well, from memory, I think that Zandvoort has got, umm, sand! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

"I'll get me spade shall I?"

LOL.....

I think I'll try and get over for this one on my own (wander what this will cost me!)

Will there be any other f16s available for charter? Cough cough a Stealth? THe wifey has been wanting to back to EU, so I can cut her loose for that week and I can sail in the event.

I am interested.

[quote (wander what this will cost me!) [/quote]


A lot more than bringing your family! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think I might have to get over for this one too....August...I'll have to plan on it. Not certain I'll ship a boat unless there is a lot of NA sailors doing so.

Anyone need a crew?

Tback how much do you weight ?

Wouter

At this years Nations Cup Bart brought his Stealth over from Holland but sailed with Gert. Therefore, if Bart is going to sail with Gert next year then you might need some good medicine for that irritating cough that you have developed.

77 kg (170 lb)

With me being 85 kg that is on the heavy side for my Taipan "rip off". (85 + 77 kg = 162 kg)

Thanks for the answer

Wouter

The website is now updated. F16 Homepage

A navigation tab on the left of the homepage will take you to a new section specifically for the 2007 Global Challenge.

Details of the planned week of racing and entertainments will be published there. Also there is a link to an entry form in Word format that we would like people to complete so that we can get an idea of likely numbers of competitors.

On the form you can indicate whether you will be definitely attending/thinking about it. Please be totally honest about this so that we can get a reasonably accurate feel for what is required to make the week work.

If you may be sailing 2-up rather than solo, but don't definitely have a crew please indicate this with either 'TBA' if you will arrange your own crew, or 'crew required' if you would like us to link you up with someone. If the latter case applies then it would be useful if you could indicate somewhere on the form what your weight as helm is.

If you want to race, but don't have a boat and wish to crew, please fill in the form accordingly. If you wish to race but need to charter a boat, again fill in the form and we will see what we can do. No promises though!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks.

Hi,

Are you thinking of posters or some kind of publicity-mail ?
I could send it to our clubs here. We have some Spitfires and 1 Stealth I believe.

Regards,
Gill

I am currently working on that. It will be done this comming week - midweek. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />