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Now that there is a brief pause in the sailing season, it is a good time to take stock and talk about the exciting things coming up for the next two years. The Formula 18 fleet in the US has significantly matured over the last three years and the level of competition has leapt forward at terrific pace.
Formula 18 is a box-rule catamaran class supported by over a dozen manufacturers. Development is carefully controlled and multiple weight-to-sailplan categories keeps competition very close between a wide variety of teams. Internationally, the Class is administered by a World Council that has representation from every continent and is supported by a Technical Committee that includes builders, sailmakers, measurers and top-level athletes.
The International Class held the 10th Worlds in Erquy, France this year - among the 160+ competitors were World Champions from many dinghy and multihull fleets, and the current America's Cup winner, James Spithill. The podium was again shared by multiple manufacturers, which demonstrates the viability of the box rule.
In the US, the Class held its 6th North American Championship this year with over 50 entrants. Hosted by the Catamaran Racing Association of Wisconsin and the Racine Yacht Club, the event was the largest and most successful F18 event ever. The 2011 North American Championship will be at Hyannis Yacht Club in Massachusetts next September. Containers from the West Coast are already being planned.
The US was successful in bidding for the 2012 Formula 18 Worlds; the event will be hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, CA, September 10-15th. Teams will qualify for the event during the 2011 sailing season through the national ranking system, which makes the upcoming season on the West Coast particularly exciting. There are several top-notch boats for sale right now as current teams look to get quality used boats into the market and bring new teams into the fleet; it is an outstanding opportunity to pick up a competitive platform and get into a fantastic fleet.
The West Coast schedule will be posted soon. In addition to the regular annual events, you can anticipate some F18-specific additions to the schedule as both ABYC and the regional fleet prepare for what is certain to be an epic 2012 World Championship.
Formula 18 is a box-rule catamaran class supported by over a dozen manufacturers. Development is carefully controlled and multiple weight-to-sailplan categories keeps competition very close between a wide variety of teams. Internationally, the Class is administered by a World Council that has representation from every continent and is supported by a Technical Committee that includes builders, sailmakers, measurers and top-level athletes.
The International Class held the 10th Worlds in Erquy, France this year - among the 160+ competitors were World Champions from many dinghy and multihull fleets, and the current America's Cup winner, James Spithill. The podium was again shared by multiple manufacturers, which demonstrates the viability of the box rule.
In the US, the Class held its 6th North American Championship this year with over 50 entrants. Hosted by the Catamaran Racing Association of Wisconsin and the Racine Yacht Club, the event was the largest and most successful F18 event ever. The 2011 North American Championship will be at Hyannis Yacht Club in Massachusetts next September. Containers from the West Coast are already being planned.
The US was successful in bidding for the 2012 Formula 18 Worlds; the event will be hosted by the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club in Long Beach, CA, September 10-15th. Teams will qualify for the event during the 2011 sailing season through the national ranking system, which makes the upcoming season on the West Coast particularly exciting. There are several top-notch boats for sale right now as current teams look to get quality used boats into the market and bring new teams into the fleet; it is an outstanding opportunity to pick up a competitive platform and get into a fantastic fleet.
The West Coast schedule will be posted soon. In addition to the regular annual events, you can anticipate some F18-specific additions to the schedule as both ABYC and the regional fleet prepare for what is certain to be an epic 2012 World Championship.
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