The Sea Cliff Yacht Club and the Trustees of the Deed of Gift of the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy are inviting bids from yacht clubs and/or organizing authorities to host the 2006 regatta. Submission of bids should be sent in accordance with the contact information shown below, by November 5, 2005. Announcement of the winning will be made on November 15, 2005.

It is well known among US multihull enthusiasts that in April 2005 Vectorworks Marine Inc entered into an agreement with Bimare to be the licensed builder in the United States of the XJ A class catamaran.

Now, a few months later, the first XJs made in the USA have started to be delivered.

Class and formula racing catamarans need constant attention and development to remain not only competitive but to deliver the utmost reliability and satisfaction to their owners. Continued advances in design, materials, and like technologies are not often within the reach of most cat sailors even if they had the time. VMI has already begun working with a few US top catamaran helmsmen and sailmakers for the continued development of the XJ. Then working jointly with the factory in Italy, also striving to continually improve the package, we are confident that this relationship will keep BIMARE/VMI boats at the forefront of the A class worldwide.

By Dan DeLave

I wanted to talk about the weekends regatta but first I would like to point out that there seems to be an increasing understanding that since the yacht clubs are running more regattas these days for multihulls there are more yacht club members in our ranks. For example 8 of the 11 entries in the Formula 18 event are members of yacht clubs. There are also sailing associations that are worth looking into if there is a monetary concern. Pick one that is a member of the Southern California Yachting Association. This will open up even more events to multihulls.

This weekends regatta started off with a threat of a high pressure system hanging over or near the Long Beach event. That would not be good for the typically good conditions that most people come to the event for. That high pressure system either did not fully materialize or went away somewhere.

The noon start saw about 5 MPH of breeze and most of the boats made it to the starting line on time. Dave Sparkuhl, sailing with Karen Christensen, was giving lessons to the Formula 18 group on how to sail in that light breeze. He took the lead and kept finding ways to increase boat lengths to finish in a comfortable first. Followed by Steve Leo then Jeff Petron.

Texas City Dike Yacht Club (Fleet 8), Division 6 and the Texas Offshore Multi hull association are proud to present Wayward Winds 2005. This open class multihull regatta will take place at the Texas City Dike on September 24th & 25th 2005.

For up to the minute information, results and photographs go to http://texascitydike.com


Please RSVP to help us with planning.

For more information email seagreen@texascitydike.com

Chris Green
Commodore,
Texas City Dike Yacht Club (Fleet 8)

Ventura provided the best wind of the week on Thursday at the Hobie 16 North Americans topping out at about twenty knots. Four races were sailed ending the Semi-Finals. On Thursday night the Gold and Silver fleets were announced at the classes traditional Cut Party. Friday is the final day of the event. The Silver fleet is scheduled to race in the morning and the Gold fleet will sail in the afternoon.

Going into the last day it is a foregone conclusion that the event winner will come form Hobie Division 13. Division 13 includes Puerto Rico, Mexico and Guatemala.