2015 A-Class Catamaran North American Championship - Day 1

by A-Cat North Americans on 20 May 2015 Panama City’s St Andrews Bay delivered champagne sailing conditions for Day One of the 2015 A-Class Catamaran North American Championship with three races completed in breeze ranging from eight to 16 knots, flat water and sunny skies.

Matt Struble, multiple A-Cat and DNA Ice boat champion, is returning to the A-Cat after a two-year absence and owned the day with three firsts. He’s sailing a borrowed eXploder with JZ foils, and in typical understated style says he’s “winging it,” but his performance says otherwise, finishing the races two-plus minutes ahead of second place Bruce Mahoney, last year’s champion. Bailey White, U.S. A-Class Catamaran president, sits in third overall with 10 points.

For his first time sailing in Panama City, Struble gives it a “Ten out of 10. This location, the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club hospitality, the temperature, the water, the wind. Basically, if you didn’t have fun today, you’re probably not having fun doing anything.”

The feeling appears mutual. The local media has wholeheartedly embraced this premier championship, featuring the sailors and regatta on the front pages of newspapers, in the sports section and on television.

Woody Cope has been on a roll producing top three results in the fleet this winter with his non-foiling Nikita, a 2004 design with curved boards (C-boards), had a strong day posting seventh and fifth place in the first two races. Until race three, as he and Bob Hodges approached the top mark neck and neck on port, Hodges tacked first, Cope did not complete his tack in time and speared Hodges’ port bow, and then Hodges got wrapped up in the top mark. Back on shore the two worked together to make the repair and Hodges will be back on the water tomorrow.