To me it was as pretty as a picture - The Cross' Jeanneau Sunfast 3300 traversing Broken Bay. - photo © John Curnow
Dear Recipient Name
Well this particular missive certainly will be. Yes. I know. A bit of a departure from some, for sure, but never fear. It does not mean anything, other than this is just shorter...
It all stemmed from the fact that I had taken a few snaps of late, which is always a hoot. Really nice conditions just added to it all. Shooting in just a T-shirt, or maybe a spray jacket, is always way better than party pants and a smock. Remembering to bring your neck gaiter along to avoid the burn, is like a warmed balloon of Armagnac after dinner. Simply brilliant.
So it was better than good to get out on the water myself. It really did feel like it was short, but a couple of hours is better than no couple of hours, and it definitely was sweet! Can still feel the smiles now.
The weapon under consideration was the Excess 11 cruising cat, and yes, the smiles were real, for it actually does sail, even with the self-tacker! No doubt the hefty square top main has something to do with all that... No Extreme 40 or F50 for sure, but not as twitchy, either.
Pointing, reaching, and going deep with Gen1.5 of the Excess brand was a bit of an eye opener, and stay tuned for a full report, soon enough. It was fun, and I also have to say that like many, I cannot wait to have a go at Gen2.0, which will be the Excess 14. This side of something far more expensive and lighter they are quite the sailor's choice.
So, so much going on...
Been a bit captivated by the Olympic classes from Almere, and so impressed with many Aussie crews making their respective Medal Races, with quite the armada also enjoying a good showing. Nice work Chris Charlwood and Amelia Catt in the mixed 470 to secure Silver. Former Olympic Silver Medallist, Olivia Price, and young crewmember Evie Haseldine collected a Bronze in the 49erFX in just their third outing in the big leagues. Right oh, that'll be a statement as the truncated quad ahead of Marseilles gets evaporated like said Armagnac above. Now where was my wing-backed chair again?
Over at Les Sables-d'Olonne you could have thought you were at a football match, given the massive crowds that had assembled on the Grand Plage to wish the skippers well ahead of the Vendée Arctique. Yes. The Europeans certainly treat sailing differently to many other a locale, that's for sure. Yeah. Bring that stuff on, all right. WoooHooooooooo.
FlyingNikka took flight a little while ago, but only recently had her grand launch at Punta Ala. The pace with which she was built is about as mesmerising as her ability to destroy nautical miles. Did someone say the changing face of sailing?
The brilliant concept that is the Star Sailors League Gold Cup, which is just like football's (soccer) World Cup, has launched, and takes off like a B52 on a mission. Slovenia and Lithuania are the latest to get through to the final in Bahrain this November. Do like the gold SSL 47s BTW. They join Ireland, Tahiti, and Estonia, along with Antigua and Barbuda, who have all previously qualified.
Ok. There it is. Short as promised, but there is heaps more on the group's sites for you, just use the search field, or 'edition' pull-down menu up the top on the right of the masthead to find it all. Please enjoy your yachting, stay safe, and thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com
John Curnow
Editor, Sail-World AUS
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