Almost time for the first big international event of the season: Eurocat Carnac!

This is a classic regatta not to be missed! 3 days of sailing of which 1 long distance day. Get ready and join us. And we have great news! We will have a separate F16 ranking (as soon as we have 15 boats registered). Scoring in real time = the best! And we will have a spot on the beach close to the small parking area where we will showcase 6 F16 cats. Join us for this great international cat sailing event in France (May 1) as an F16 and enjoy:

– an open free bar during registration

– specific F16 goodies to be picked up at the F16 tent (when signing up as F16, you will get a free waterproof bag for your smart phone. This is sponsored by the WindLive Tracking project which shall allow all F16 to replay their race over and over, and over … so bring your smart android device, there will also be a limited number of device for rent (10€/3 days), please notify up-front if you need one)

– an open free plancha on Friday evening

– an open free rhum ‘arrangé’ testing on Saturday evening

– free snacks and drinks on the water between the races (Yellow Rib)

– GPS race tracking

Register here: http://www.yccarnac.com/registration.html

Get your mind set on the new sailing season!

Join us for our spring training at lake of Como.
The 3-day training consists of on the water coaching and debriefing on land
Cost: €150 / boat (if we manage enough subscribers).

Dear Sailors, friends and supporters,

The year 2014 has passed and overall we believe it was a successful one. Although the class is still suffering from the losses due to the new Olympic catamaran, we managed to offer a decent service for the sailors and organized a whole bunch of high class events. In 2014 our Belgian and Dutch friends got their Class Associations running and in U.K we noticed vital signs as well. Our friends in the U.S.A. saw a change in their management, as Mark Thomson took over from Daniel Hearn as a chairman in summer. Thanks to Kathleen from TheBoatShop.be in Belgium, the website was refurbished and can be managed with state-of-the-art tools. Stéphane and Antoine did a brilliant job in getting our financial issues solved and in summer 2014, the International Class Association was finally registered in France. The Chairman attended the International Annual Meeting of ISAF in Palma de Mallorca in November to further push the visibility of the Formula 16 Class. Meanwhile the Class Association is fully workable and the Executive Committee would like to express its gratitude to everyone involved in those big achievements. And we are very happy noticing an overall growth of the class worldwide, as the amount of ISAF stickers purchased indicates.

Almost every National Class Association started the sailing season with race clinics for the advanced as well as trainings for beginners. In Europe, Gill De Bruyne combined delivering new boats with a training event at Lago di Como and in the U.S. Robbie Daniel offered lots of possibilities for trainings as well. The highlights of our sailing season surely were the Worlds in the U.S. sailing-hotspot Newport/RI and the Europeans in Le Touquet on the Channel coast. Both events had more than 30 boats registered and both events got attention in the mass media. But all the other events, ranging from big regattas like Carnac or Texel, and the Nationals in most of our member countries, down to the many club events worldwide are important as well, as they provide the platform for our understanding of sailing.

In summer we started a campaign to promote the Formula 16 boats as the next ISAF youth multihull. ISAF had announced that the forthcoming youth catamaran should be equipped with dagger boards and a spinnaker, which in turn ends the era of the current youth boats Sirena SL16 as well as the Hobie16. ISAF asked for offers and although the Class Association can’t do that, we tried to convince the ISAF to not add another new boat to the park, but instead choose F16 boats as they have proven their potential for youth sailing.

The year 2015 will be challenging. In January, we as the Formula16 Class will show up at the Worlds’ biggest boat show in Düsseldorf, Germany. Here we will be part of a “Multihull-Forum”, where all aspects of multihull sailing will be presented to the sailing world. For our class, this boat show will be another chance to promote the F16 class to ISAF as the next youth multihull, as the decision on this issue was postponed in Palma last year. But the more important message will be showing the versatility of the F16 class, which is unmatched in beach catamaran sailing.

As we decided in Newport on Worlds every 2 years, there will only be Continental Championships in 2015. In Europe, Cesenatico on the Adriatic coast, Italy, will host the Europeans 2015. There will be Nationals in Australia and in the U.S.A, which in fact are Continentals as well. The European sailing season will start with clinics in France and Italy. All events will be published in our race calendar by the end of January. And we are still open for bids for the Worlds 2016. So far, the U.S.A. and Australia have declared their interest.

The Management Committee wishes you a lucky season. May the best ones win the races and we hope that all of you will help us in promoting some of the best boats around.

All the best

Thomas
President F16 class

Sun, wind and a great region to spend your holidays! F16 Europeans 2015 venue is Cesenatico, Italy!

Cesenatico Event Venue

Agenda for a great week of sailing and meeting fellow F16 sailors:

– Saturday July 18: Measurement
– Sunday July 19: Measurement  and training races 

– Monday July 20: 3 races
– Tuesday July 21: 3 races
– Wednesday July 22: Class Meeting – 3 races – BBQ
– Thursday July 23: 3 races and Price Giving 
– Friday July 24: reserve day

Cesenatico Atmosphere

Join us for a great event in the summer of 2015!

Dear friends of fast multihull sailing,

“Size does not matter” – but hardly anyone knows it. To change this and to strengthen our class, the International Formula 16 Class Association will take a stand on the multihull forum Boot Dusseldorf. Here we will present the sailing world our offer: a fast, safe and easy boat, single-handed, double-handed, families and youth fit, while one of the fastest sailboats are available on the market today.

Gill de Bryne will provide a Falcon F16 and the association and some members are available to supervise the booth. But we get the booth not free. The Fair Dusseldorf calculated 2.000, – EUR, we currently do not have the cash. Therefore we ask you and every other supporters of our sport to make a donation so that our trade fair can be financed. Any amount is welcome, you will receive a receipt for tax purposes and will officially as Formula 16 supporters listed on our site. That is, if you wish. For donations simply click the “Donate” button here and follow the instructions. Please as a keyword. Enter “boot2015”. The first 700 € are incidentally already done.

Thank you very much for your support!

Your Board of Directors of the Class Association

Last weekend the Belgian Nationals took place in Oostduinkerke, the West Coast of Belgium. It was a combined event with the F18 nationals. This way we could have as many boats on the starting line as possible. Weather predictions were very favorable: we would have the last Belgian summer day on Saturday with 12-18 knots from the South (meaning no waves) and a chilly Sunday with light winds from the North. Predictions were almost right 😉

On Saturday all teams arrived at the beach around 10 o’clock to rig their boats and to make sure everything was tuned in for the correct wind conditions. Sun was shining and 52 boats were lining up at the start! 19 of these 52 boats were F16 teams, what a great turn-out! A lot of Dutch teams came over for this event in Belgium and also some French teams. Great to see all these F16 sailors!

First start was at 13h. All 52 boats were very eager to start and we had our first general recall. In total 3 races were sailed on Saturday and every starting procedure had a general recall with a black flag start afterwards. We even managed to get a general recall with the black flag start, very pushy fleet!

3 races were sailed, each consisting of 3 laps. Around 15 knots of wind, but very shifty due to the land wind. Almost no waves and quite some current. On day 1 in the F16 fleet the youth teams were showing their sailing skills again. Henri Demesmaeker (Viper) won the first race of that day and Philip Hendrickx (Falcon) won the 2 last races of that day. Other youth teams performing well: Stef Haazen (Falcon) and Sanne Wielenga (Nacra).

During the 4^th starting procedure starting was suddenly cancelled. We all sailed back to shore and luckily all boats made it back in time before a big storm hit shore. Suddenly a Force 7 wind out of the North was stirring up the sea.

We all tied down our boats and took cover in the beach club were pasta was served. This was a great first day of this Belgian Nationals. We had sunshine, nice winds, 3 races and a big fleet to race with. Everybody went to sleep happily and wondering what the next day would bring. Prediction was for very light winds so we hoped we would manage to sail some more races.

Day 2 started very cold, with still a lot of wind leftover from the previous day’s storm. Blowing out of the North the sea reminded me of Round Texel. Launching trough the surf with the wind head on would probably be a bit challenging. Start was at 11 o’clock so all competitors would be able to drive back home in time. Racing committee did an outstanding job really pushing the starts one right after the other. This way we managed to sail another 4 races on Sunday. Wind was not as predicted. We could still double trap most of the time and the waves made it even more challenging. You really had to keep the pressure on to drive through the waves. Also today the fleet decided they wanted to practice their starts: 3 general recalls out of 4 races. Youth teams Philip and Henri knew this day would be the battle between the 2 of them, they are a real match. First race was won by Philip. Second race by Henri. Third race by Philip and the last race was won by Henri. Returning at the beach both teams did not know who would be the winner of this event. They had a photo finish and so the mystery remained until the price giving: very exciting! Price giving revealed that Philip Hendrick and Filip Olyslaeger (Falcon) were the big winners of the Belgian Nationals F16 2014, congratulations! Also congratulations to the other 2 youth teams taking 2^nd place (Henri Demesmaeker and Emile Van Holsbeke, Viper) and 3^rd place (Stef Haazen and Stijn Van daele, Falcon).

Picture of the podium

Top 5 Belgian F16 Nationals

1/Philip Hendrickx/Filip Olyslaeger – Falcon – 8pts
2/Henri Demesmaeker/Emile Van Holsbeke – Viper – 9pts
3/Stef Haazen/Stijn Van daele – Falcon – 18pts
4/Aurélie Van Schoote/Thomas Vandenbossche – Falcon – 29pts
5/Gill De Bruyne/Kathleen Vandenbulcke – Falcon – 32pts

Full results can be found here: http://sycod.be/mediastorage/FSDocument/36/Results_OCB_-F18-F16-C3.pdf

September 20-21, the Open Dutch Championships F16 were held in Hellevoetsluis. Sixteen F16 teams were competing, of which 11 Dutch and 5 Belgian teams. Nine youth teams were present.

On Saturday the weather forecast showed light wind expectations. The day started foggy, but luckily this passed slowly so that the wind strength could build up to about 10 knots. Four races were sailed on Saturday. Froukje Feenstra and Sanne van Hek were on fire that day and finished with a 2^nd place in the first race, continued by winning the other three races! This gave them a nice lead on the rest of the fleet.

Belgian teams were also pretty quick in the light breeze. Team Hendrickx / Olyslager were in 2^nd place and Schoote / Baque on 3rd place at the end of the day. Followed by Erwin Kerstens / Jaap Straakenbroek on 4^th and Robin & Sander Mineur on 5^th place.

Sunday was a totally different day with stronger winds, about 18 average and gusts over 25knts.  For some teams this meant a good opportunity to catch up in points and ranking, especially for Dutchies Sanne Wielenga / Thomas the Jong, who sailed really well and consistent, finishing four times in 3rd!  The Belgian teams were also very fast in the breeze! Henri Demesmaeker / Emile van Holsbeke were unstoppable and Philip Hendrickx / Filip Olyslager defended their 2^nd position. Froukje Feenstra and Sanne van Hek had a though day and definitely won the capsize challenge! Though day!

This resulted in a very well deserved win for Henri and Emile! Philip and Filip in second, followed by Froukje and Sanne who still had enough points from Saturday to represent the Netherlands on the podium.

Full results here: http://www.hellecat.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ONK-F-16-0141.htm

Report sent in by Froukje Feenstra, The Netherlands

6 and 7th of September the Belgian youth championships were sailed in Koksijde Yacht Club.

There were 3 categories: Dragoon (13 boats), C3 (SL16, Hobie Max, Hobie 16, Nacra 500) (13 boats) and F16 (10 boats).

In the F16 class 5 Belgian and 5 Dutch teams. With very little wind 3 races were sailed over the weekend.

A very exciting race up untill the end. Top 3 places had equal points just before the last race. Whoever won this last race would be crowned Youth Champ 2014!

All 3 boats arrived at the same time at the upwind buoy – and since there was only one round to be sailed due to the light wind – it was a very slow but super exciting downwind.

Philip Hendrickx and Filip Olyslager (BEL111, Falcon) won with 5 meter ahead on  Aurelie and Alec (BEL100, Falcon) and Henri Demesmaeker came in 3rd (BEL3, Viper).

Full results here

F16 Europeans 2014: France beats Australia & Belgium: “This year, sailing superpower Australia seems to have no serious challengers. But at the F16 Europeans in Le Touquet Daniel and Nathan van Kerckhof on a Viper had to give way to the young and promising French sailor Kim-Anne Le Formal on a Falcon.

With Flying Phantom crew Benjamin Amiot, they managed to grab the F16 European crown 2014 in a very close fight with the other top teams.

The Europeans on the French Channel coast saw more than 30 teams from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Australia. One third of the fleet were youth teams, solo sailors had registered as well and there were highly competitive mixed and women’s teams on the water as well. All brands were present and despite the fact that it still is the sailor and not the boat winning or loosing, it seems that the box rule is working. There was no signfificant dominance of any brand and that’s the way Formula classes should be run.

Over a challenging five days conditions varied from 22 knots and big waves to light wind summer breezes. And the strong currents in the Channel make racing a tricky issue in terms where to go and where to tack. With tough conditions in the first two days, not every team decided to head out. Remarkably, German solo sailor Stefan Dorfner took the challenge and managed to finish almost all races. But as the Formula 16 class still has a lot of pleasure sailors, it might be just the right decision not to race if you don’t feel safe.

Fighting at the top of the fleet was very tight all week, as with 2013 world youth champs Arnout and Klaas Victor, a very competitive youth team chased Kim-Anne next to the Aussie team. And with last year’s World Champ Henri Demesmaeker and his crew Emile van Holsbeke, followed by this year’s Texel winner Froukje Feenstra another top team took care of close racing. In fact, the Championship was open until the last race and looking at the results of the races, there was no dominance of any sailor either.

Next to Kim-Anne winning the European Championship, Dutch Froukje Feenstra ended up as the best women’s team, Andi Lutz from Switzerland and Dominik Leuthold took the masters podium and German Stefan Dorfner won the solo challenge. The Victor brothers from Belgium finished as the best youth team within this event.

Full results on: https://sites.google.com/site/assofrf16/european-f16-2014

Thomas Koenig, Chairman F16 CA

Overall results F16 Europeans 2014 Le Touqet

Adrian Fawcett and Jesse Dobie World Champion F16

World Championship F16 was sailed from June 23 – 27 in Newport, USA. 4 days of racing and 29 boats at the start. Youth teams, mixed teams, solo sailors,… An unique mix, typical for the F16 class.

Here is a report about the event where you can read about the venue, the sailors, top 5, a link to the full results and a letter of the US chairman with a big thanks to event sponsor Red Gear Racing.

2014 F16 Worlds Podium

Adrian Fawcett & Jesse Dobie, Australia: “this was a great location. You have to visit Newport. Lots to see and great sailing conditions. Due to unstable wind there was 1 day where we could not sail, but our race officer made sure that we still managed to get 13 races in.”

On Monday we had the practice race. Matt McDonald, USA: “Each race was different due to different wind and current. Getting the course right and adjust yourself to it was very important.”

On Tuesday racing started in difficult conditions with winds up to 20 knots. Alot of teams were very close to each other, especially the top 4. After day 1 Adrian & Jesse, Australia, were leading the fleet. On 2nd place were ex olympic sailors Jay&Pease Glaser. On third: Olympic sailor Robbie Daniels.

Fleet approaching the top mark

Wednesday was a very light wind day, to the advantage of lighter teams. Andi Lutz, Switzerland: “we noticed on Wednesday that lighter teams really had an advantage on us, a heavier men team. The lighter teams could speed up and Adrian & Jesse could not be kept up with!”

On Thursday no sailing because of too little wind. Sailors discovered the area and went to see some nice yachts and race boats, like the American VOR70 and the Spindrift, the 140 foot catamaran.

Chillin’ at the beach

With 2 discards the race was still very exciting. Adrian & Jesse were leading with 2 points ahead of Ravi & Sam. Robbie on 3rd and Glaser on 4th place.

Adrian and Jesse in action

On Friday, the last day of racing, there was a distinct gap between top 4 and rest of the fleet. Top 4 only a few points separate of each other. Very exciting! Andi: “On this last day all sailors decided to sail as many races as possible today. We started early and we managed to race 5 more races!”

Adrian & Jesse stayed on top of the fleet during the whole event and also this last day they were not to be stopped. Their boat speed made sure they sailed Gold at these Worlds! Congratulations to the new World Champions!

Adrian and Jesse – 2014 F16 world champions

Top 5:

Adrian & Jesse – world champion – Falcon F16

Ravi&Sam – 2nd place – Viper F16

Robbie & Catherine – 3rd place – Viper F16

Jay & Pease Glaser – 4th place – Falcon F16

Sandra Tartaglino & Max Kramers – 5th place – Viper F16

Full results can be found here: http://f16worlds2014.org/assets/F16%20Worlds%20Final%20Results.pdf

Next big event for the Formula 16 class is the European Championship in Le Touquet: 28/07 – 01/08. Register here: https://sites.google.com/site/assofrf16/european-f16-2014/european-competitors

Here is a letter of our US chairman about the Worlds:

I trust that you have all made it safely home by now after our very successful World Championship regatta in Newport, Rhode Island. Hearty congratulations to all of our trophy winners, and most especially to our newly crowned Formula 16 World Champions, Adrian Fawcett and Jesse Dobie from Australia!

The success of an event like this depends on many, many people, but ultimately it would be nothing without the sailors who make the effort to come and compete. So I want to thank every one of you who made the decision to join us in Newport. A week-long event away from home involves a very significant commitment of your time and money and we are grateful for your participation. We particularly appreciate those who traveled from outside the US and helped to make this a truly international event.

It’s also important to reiterate how greatly we appreciate the support of our sponsor, Red Gear Racing, who came through with a significant financial contribution in support of the Class to help us meet the costs of the regatta. Jill Nickerson and Robbie Daniel from Red Gear have been stalwart supporters of the Formula 16 and we are extremely grateful for their continued involvement in the Class.

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the regatta was observing the great diversity of the Class – sailors aged 12 to 75, male and female, and with Olympic campaigners and medalists competing alongside weekend sailors relatively new to racing. It reflects well on the versatility of the Formula 16 Class that we’re all able to participate in an event like this together, both in the competition on the water and in the camaraderie on shore.

Numerically, it was encouraging to see the regatta attract a similar number of boats (29) as last year’s Worlds in Travemunde (32) and significantly more than last year’s US Nationals at Racine (16). Nonetheless, continuing to build the Class, and multihull sailing in general, remains an important goal for all of us. Every one of us has an opportunity to play a role here: every time you go sailing other people get to see you in action. So please, get out and have fun!

For the US Class, now that the Worlds are behind us, planning can begin for our 2015 Nationals. We are grateful to have received expressions of interest from two clubs so far who are interested in hosting us next year, and in due course you can expect an announcement about that event.

Sail well!

Mark Thomson
US-F16 Class Chairman