A Class Cat World Championship at the WPNSA

A Class Cat World Championship at the WPNSA - Overall

by Gordon Upton 31 Aug 2019 23:05 PDT 24-30 August 2019

Andrew Landenberger and Mischa Heemskerk became the 2019 'A' Class cat World Champions on Friday at WPNSA in great style. Sailing in almost champagne sailing conditions of sun and 14-17 knot wind, the pair dominated their respective divisions with 8 bullets each in a superbly run regatta and under the control of David Campbell-James and his race team.

In the UK, we hear much about the 'Olympic Legacy' from governments etc., but very few ever seem to see the almost mythical thing in action. However, in our sailing world, the team at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, for the World 'A' Cat fleet at least, have proved it exists. This was the first time in many years that the fleet has ever sailed a full series, and even more amazing when you conceder that the 'A' Cat Championship Rules now allowed for up to 12 races in a series. 'Weybiza', you delivered! Over the past 7 days we have seen every wind condition allowable within the class parameters from the early week 5 knot minimum right up to one race where 20.9 knots was recorded, so it was a true test of a champion. We all have our favourite conditions, but to be the best, we need to be good in them all and this is what was on show here.

Open Runner up, Dave Shaw (NZL) in the A Class Cat Worlds at the WPNSA - photo © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com

In the Classic fleet, Scotty Anderson AUS 31, and new class division Great Grand Master Champion, stole a couple of bullets from Landy whilst simultaneously keeping Landy's 20 year old son Andy AUS 300 and Junior Division Champion, at bay, but also fending off a strong challenge from Alberto Farnesi SWE 59. The home fleet of 7 boats saw 'A' Cat newby Hugh MacGregor GBR18, finished in an excellent 6thplace and he was using a repaired mast and borrowed sail! The total fleet was 24 boats in the division, which is slightly disappointing when you conceder how many other Classics are sailed on the near continent.

Classic champion Andrew Landenberger (AUS) in the A Class Cat Worlds at the WPNSA - photo © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com

The 64 strong Open division was dominated by Mischa NED 007, in his trademark guns out, pedal to the metal sailing style. His boat handling, especially at the corners has to be seen to be believed and gains a worthy third World Title. In second, Dave Shaw NZL 270, sailed a superb series and snapping at Mischa's heels on several occasions with a number of very close finishes with Mischa, Tymuk Bendyk POL 15, who finished third overall and Maunel Calavia ESP 11, who seemed to have a bit of a nightmare in his last three races. Top home sailor was Tom Phipps GBR 22 who was happy with his 16thplace in this field.

Open top Brit Tom Phipps (GBR) during the A Class Cat Worlds at the WPNSA - photo © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com

What have we learned? In the Classics, the decksweeper sail design, not modified to suit a classic boat will give you more speed upwind and sail you higher. Trapezing downwind is a given as soon as it's possible. The Classics have trial rules in place as regards their foils etc., and we expect some interesting feedback from Paul Larsen, the new Technical Committee chairman on these.

On the Open, the latest foils look to be performing well, resulting in more stable flight and fewer violent landings. Rudder rake, and sometimes differential rudder rake is also a 'thing' now. Sails are as ever constantly evolving. The decksweeper has been here for a while now, but the head size is altering about although the Pin-Head looks to have come in more for now.

SailGP China Team skipper Phil Robertson (NZL) goes for a spin during the A Class Cat Worlds at the WPNSA - photo © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com

The class owes a huge vote of thanks to the Peter Allam, Sally Reynoldson and their staff and helpers at WPNSA. Peter said that this was a first for the Academy, and for Portland harbour in as much as, whilst they had many foiling boats at there, and held many events for Moths, WASZPs and such, the foiling 'A' Cats were another level altogether, and witnessing sixty high tech carbon machines crossing each other whilst doing 25 knots at the bottom mark was not only an eye opener, but a testament to the skill at which they are sailed. Many sailors now realize what can be achieved in a place as unique as this, and the sailing was second to none.

Nils Palmieri looking for the finish during the A Class Cat Worlds at the WPNSA - photo © Gordon Upton / www.guppypix.com

Struan Wallace and the other BACCA organisers struggled to get much sponsorship for this event, especially from UK companies. Maybe it's the current interesting UK situation keeping packets zipped. However, massive thanks to those who did support us - Forward WIP, who protected many sailors from injuring themselves on these beasts. Ronstan for providing their great Clearstart sailing watches to the winners, and shirts for all. North Sails for their cool shirts and prizes. Cuicui wines, for lubricating everyone. Brittany Ferries for their sailor discount travel. Noble Marine, who jumped in at the last minute, basically saving many by providing cover for overseas sailors. And to DNA and Exploder for their Media Rib support without whom you'd get no video, no photos and your sponsors would not get the crucial exposure they paid for in the first place.

See you all, first in Cadiz next June for the Euros, and then in is the good Ol' USA at St Petersberg FL for the 2020 Worlds in the October. Loving your work people!

Overall Results:

Pos	Nat	Sail No	Helm	Age Group	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	R11	R12	Pts
Classic Fleet
1	AUS	308	Andrew Landenberger	Masters Champion	4	‑18	2	1	‑5	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	14
2	AUS	31	Scott Anderson	Great Grand Masters	‑6	1	‑7	6	1	2	3	2	2	2	3	4	26
3	AUS	300	Andy Landenberger	Junior Champion	3	2	‑6	2	2	5	5	5	(DNF [25])	3	2	2	31
4	SWE	59	Alberto Farnesi	Great Grand Masters	5	‑6	1	3	3	3	‑6	3	3	6	5	5	37
5	ESP	5	Enrique Cornejo	Grand Masters	‑14	5	11	12	6	4	2	(DNF [25])	4	4	4	3	55
6	GBR	18	Hugh Macgregor		1	7	4	4	4	8	‑9	7	6	(RET [25])	7	8	56
7	ESP	7	Michael Todd	Great Grand Masters	2	‑14	‑15	10	10	6	4	4	5	5	6	6	58
8	SUI	56	Bruno Biedermann	Great Grand Masters	7	‑11	3	5	11	7	7	6	7	(RET [25])	8	7	68
9	AUS	9	John Dowling	Great Grand Masters	9	9	8	9	8	‑13	10	11	10	9	11	(RET [25])	94
10	AUS	27	William Michie	Great Grand Masters	12	‑19	16	8	‑20	10	12	10	8	8	10	9	103
11	GBR	72	Owen Cox	Masters Champion	15	(UFD [25])	‑17	13	9	12	8	9	12	7	9	10	104
12	FRA	483	Antoine Riet		8	12	12	‑17	14	11	11	8	9	(RET [25])	12	11	108
13	ESP	29	Francisco Javier Acosta Medina	Masters Champion	11	3	14	‑16	7	9	16	16	11	10	13	‑17	110
14	AUS	992	Mark Capel	Great Grand Masters	‑20	4	10	14	12	17	15	12	13	11	15	‑18	123
15	SUI	310	Valente Jacques	Great Grand Masters	17	8	5	11	13	16	13	(RET [25])	(DNC [25])	DNC [25]	14	12	134
16	GBR	1963	Peter Boxer	Great Grand Masters	10	15	‑19	15	17	19	17	15	14	(RET [25])	16	15	153
17	GBR	2	Colin Bannister	Great Grand Masters	18	20	‑22	20	‑21	15	20	18	17	12	17	13	170
18	BEL	17	Astrid Janssens		SCP5% [14]	SCP5% [14]	SCP5% [19]	SCP5% [19]	SCP5% [19]	(SCP5% [25])	(SCP5% [23])	SCP5% [20]	SCP5% [17]	SCP5% [16]	18	16	172
19	ITA	99	Marco Gaeti	Grand Masters	21	17	9	7	16	SCP5% [19]	SCP10% [21]	14	(RET [25])	(DNF [25])	DNC [25]	DNC [25]	174
20	ESP	129	Javier Acosta Morales	Junior Champion	16	10	13	(RET [25])	(DNC [25])	20	19	17	15	14	RET [25]	DNF [25]	174
21	ESP	42	Mariano Martinez	Great Grand Masters	(RET [25])	16	20	19	15	14	14	13	(DNF [25])	13	DNF [25]	DNC [25]	174
22	GBR	30	Daniel Brzezinski		23	21	21	21	19	21	21	(DNC [25])	(DNC [25])	DNC [25]	19	14	205
23	GBR	77	Francis Marshall	Grand Masters	19	23	24	22	23	23	(DNF [25])	20	(RET [25])	DNC [25]	RET [25]	DNC [25]	229
24	GBR	14	Anthony Wykes	Great Grand Masters	22	22	23	23	22	22	23	(RET [25])	(DNC [25])	DNC [25]	RET [25]	DNC [25]	232
Foiling Fleet
1	NED	7	Mischa Heemskerk	Masters Champion	‑61	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	‑3	12
2	NZL	270	Dave Shaw		‑21	3	‑10	10	7	5	2	2	2	2	4	4	41
3	POL	15	Tymoteusz Bendyk		1	7	‑16	2	‑17	7	6	5	7	3	3	2	43
4	ESP	11	Manuel Calavia		‑27	1	3	3	‑14	2	4	6	3	7	13	7	49
5	POL	41	Jakub Surowiec		‑11	8	2	7	(UFD [65])	6	7	3	6	5	5	6	55
6	USA	311	Bruce Mahoney		‑38	4	9	4	3	10	8	(UFD [65])	10	9	20	10	87
7	POL	17	Maciej Zarnowski		‑32	12	12	9	‑20	9	5	9	4	8	9	12	89
8	AUS	1035	James Wierzbowski		4	6	11	13	5	13	(SCP [29])	12	‑16	13	8	8	93
9	FRA	2	Emmanuel Dodé		‑28	15	5	‑26	22	8	10	7	17	4	6	5	99
10	NZL	555	Phil Robertson		25	(DSQ [65])	23	25	10	4	3	4	(RET [65])	6	2	1	103
11	POL	1	Jacek Noetzel	Grand Masters	9	‑17	8	12	‑25	12	13	8	13	12	14	15	116
12	SUI	87	Nils Palmieri		2	14	24	‑36	1	‑32	19	20	15	11	15	9	130
13	FRA	207	Benoit Marie		(SCP [54])	5	4	15	8	22	14	14	9	15	(DNC [65])	24	130
14	SUI	1	Sandro Caviezel		16	18	13	8	‑26	11	15	10	‑20	20	11	11	133
15	ESP	19	Juan Luis Paez	Masters Champion	3	‑30	15	18	23	14	18	11	5	10	23	‑28	140
16	GBR	22	Tom Phipps		12	21	(DNC [65])	14	6	15	‑30	17	12	19	12	14	142
17	NED	28	Pieterjan Dwarshuis	Grand Masters	‑35	16	18	17	‑29	18	11	16	14	17	26	21	174
18	AUS	51	Paul Larsen	Masters Champion	5	32	‑41	22	31	(RET [65])	26	15	11	16	10	13	181
19	ITA	3	Paolo Penco	Great Grand Masters	22	13	6	20	11	19	17	21	19	34	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	182
20	NED	207	Thijs Visser Visser		10	22	17	38	13	RDGb [20]	RDGb [20]	RDGb [20]	8	14	(RET [65])	(DNC [65])	182
21	ESP	93	Rafa Gomez		‑43	9	20	19	‑47	21	22	18	26	35	16	22	208
22	ESP	75	Toni Ballester	Masters Champion	30	20	‑35	23	‑49	25	21	13	18	24	18	17	209
23	POL	111	Michal Korneszczuk		6	‑36	27	21	18	24	‑29	19	22	25	24	26	212
24	NED	95	Roeland Wentholt	Great Grand Masters	17	25	‑39	6	(UFD [65])	16	16	31	21	21	30	30	213
25	GBR	57	Adam May		‑57	23	22	24	28	‑31	20	24	31	28	7	16	223
26	ESP	74	Abdon Ibanez	Great Grand Masters	19	29	29	RDGaR1235 [29]	‑39	20	12	‑32	23	18	21	23	223
27	POL	7	Marcin Kaminski		‑33	28	‑36	30	24	23	23	22	24	23	17	18	232
28	GER	6	Rainer Bohrer	Masters Champion	8	24	14	16	16	‑36	35	‑39	35	33	27	32	240
29	AUT	96	Michael Mödlhammer		18	27	26	11	21	34	24	28	29	29	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	247
30	POL	101	Andrzej Senkus	Junior Champion	23	26	25	‑35	27	33	‑34	RDG [23]	33	22	22	20	254
31	SUI	7	Maeder Robin	Junior Champion	7	‑37	19	31	15	29	36	35	30	30	(RET [65])	27	259
32	ESP	16	Marc Verdaguer	Masters Champion	14	33	21	34	30	40	31	25	27	32	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	287
33	GBR	599	Oscar Lindley‑Smith	Junior Champion	15	38	28	29	‑42	30	32	42	32	26	(RET [65])	25	297
34	DEN	77	Tom Bøjland	Great Grand Masters	‑36	31	‑44	27	36	27	28	27	34	31	25	31	297
35	CZE	1	Vladislav Ptasnik	Grand Masters	‑56	40	45	41	‑51	28	25	29	28	27	19	19	301
36	AUS	4	Steven Brewin		13	10	7	5	4	3	(DNF [65])	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	302
37	DEN	20	Peter Boldsen	Grand Masters	29	34	31	33	12	‑38	‑41	34	38	37	28	29	305
38	GER	85	Guido Schulte	Masters Champion	31	35	33	40	33	37	37	38	39	38	(RET [65])	(DNF [65])	361
39	GER	40	Manfred Syrowy	Great Grand Masters	42	‑45	‑46	43	32	35	38	30	37	39	33	RDGb [38.2]	367.2
40	AUS	63	Mark Griffith	Grand Masters	26	51	32	32	(RET [65])	26	27	23	25	(DNF [65])	RET [65]	DNC [65]	372
41	POL	3	Jaroslaw Betkowski	Great Grand Masters	44	‑48	43	42	35	44	39	37	40	(RET [65])	29	33	386
42	ITA	72	Giuseppe Colombo	Masters Champion	47	19	30	37	48	48	33	33	36	(RET [65])	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	396
43	GER	15	Katrin Brunner	Great Grand Masters	20	‑55	49	50	9	50	49	51	‑52	46	38	38	400
44	NED	44	Wiro Zijlmans	Grand Masters	40	39	42	39	‑52	39	51	36	43	36	37	(RET [65])	402
45	SUI	65	Charles Bueche	Grand Masters	41	44	47	‑48	43	41	40	40	41	40	32	(RET [65])	409
46	NED	111	David van Aart	Masters Champion	‑52	‑47	37	44	40	47	44	45	42	41	35	34	409
47	SUI	17	Dominik Peikert	Grand Masters	(DNC [65])	42	48	47	19	(DNF [65])	47	46	49	47	34	37	416
48	GER	75	Joern Knop	Grand Masters	50	49	‑53	‑54	46	45	43	43	44	42	39	35	436
49	ESP	48	Oscar Quirante	Grand Masters	37	52	50	45	50	46	42	41	45	50	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	458
50	SUI	33	Heiko Maier	Masters Champion	39	41	40	46	44	51	48	48	53	48	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	458
51	POL	197	Maciej Trocha	Junior Champion	51	‑59	55	(DNF [65])	59	43	45	47	47	43	36	36	462
52	BEL	32	Gagliani Olivier	Great Grand Masters	45	‑57	51	‑55	37	54	55	49	54	52	41	39	477
53	AUS	100	Simon Nelson	Great Grand Masters	46	11	34	28	38	(DNF [65])	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	482
54	ITA	7	Stefano Sirri	Grand Masters	54	54	58	53	53	49	(RET [65])	44	48	44	40	(DNC [65])	497
55	SUI	88	Yves Thelininck	Grand Masters	59	58	60	(DNF [65])	55	53	53	52	46	45	31	(RET [65])	512
56	GBR	21	Richard Hargreaves	Great Grand Masters	53	46	38	49	34	(DNF [65])	50	53	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	518
57	BEL	19	Wim Deca		48	53	56	51	41	(DNF [65])	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	51	49	42	UFD [65]	521
58	SUI	61	Jean‑Yves Delaite	Grand Masters	SCP [44]	56	59	52	54	(DNC [65])	(DNF [65])	DNC [65]	50	51	43	RET [65]	539
59	GBR	111	Mike Bawden	Great Grand Masters	49	50	52	56	57	17	(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	RET [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	541
60	AUS	1067	Joseph Randall		(DNC [65])	43	(DNS [65])	57	RET [65]	42	46	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNF [65]	40	553
61	DEN	19	Felix Jacobsen	Junior Champion	(SCP [65])	(DNF [65])	54	58	45	DNF [65]	52	50	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	584
62	SUI	60	Delaite Francois	Great Grand Masters	58	60	57	(DNF [65])	56	52	54	54	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	586
63	GBR	25	Sam Heaton		60	(DNF [65])	61	(DNF [65])	58	55	DNF [65]	DNF [65]	55	53	RET [65]	DNF [65]	602
64	SUI	9	Daniel Caviezel		(DNC [65])	(DNC [65])	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	DNC [65]	650