2023 A-Class Midwinters at Upper Keys Sailing Club

Chris Brwon flying a hull during the 2023 A-Class Midwinters © Mike Austin

Ben Hall Happy with his Foil Wing at the 2023 A-Class Midwinters © Fran Venetucci

Mahoney and Webbon receiving Perpetual Trophy at the 2023 A-Class Midwinters © Flor Issel

39 A-Cats gathered at Rowell's Park in Key Largo, FL to race for the 2023 A-Class Midwinters organized by Upper Keys Sailing Club. The regatta counted with the support of Monroe County Park & Beaches, Zhik and Ronstan.

Seven races were held in Blackwater Sound from January 18th through Jan 21st in 6 to 10 knots of wind. The event counted with the presence of sailors from Argentina, Canada, Virgin Islands and 11 US states.

Local sailor Bob Webbon, multiple North American Champion commented, "Blackwater Sound is the best A Cat race course in the world. We are delighted that Monroe County Parks supported our class allowing the fleet to return to Rowell's Park. This ensures the event and the class will keep growing."

Some of the highlights of the regatta includes: the return of the A-Cats to Rowells Parks after years of hiatus, Ben Hall who dusted off and revisited his Foil Wing developed for the 2007 Worlds at Islamorada, the quality of the food and social events for participants, and that the race attracted several new sailors to join the class. In addition, the regatta was honored with Bill Richnow from TX as PRO, only PRO in the world with 3 A-Class Worlds under his belt, who ran a very professional race on one of the best racing grounds known for A Cats in the country.

Christensen from Sarasota, FL posted, "This regatta will come down in history as the best food ever..."

In this 2023 Midwinters edition, due to light wind conditions, foilers and non-foilers boats were in constant battle with no clear advantage over one another. The Perpetual Midwinters Trophy was engraved with repeated winners Mahoney and Webbon for Open and Classic fleets respectively.

Video on Instagram here.

The A-Class is a development class that keeps growing a very competitive and busy fleet across the country with several regattas year round. The A Cat is a 100% carbon fiber 18 foot Catamaran, that weighs only 150 Lbs including almost 14 m2 of sail area in a 29.5ft carbon fiber mast. Is common to see the A Cats foiling above 24kts in 12 kts of wind. The A Cats compete in 2 divisions, foilers and non foilers, usually scoring the 2 classes separately and overall results. Since all boats race together at the same time on the same course, the fleet keeps races packed, busy and very competitive. The foilers (open class) usually benefit from stronger winds, but in less than 10 knots of wind, the classics (non foilers) run a small advantage due to less drag due to non foiling appendages. For 2023, the A Cat Classic was chosen for the Alter Cup to be held in Pensacola the first week of October.

Overall Results:

Foiling Fleet

Classic Fleet