USA A-Class Midwinter Championship 2026 - Day 2
by Hannah Lee Noll 29 Jan 18:05 PST
January 27-31, 2026
Midway in the Mangroves: Momentum Building
We're at the halfway point of the A-Class Midwinter Championship, and it's becoming clear that Bruce Mahoney (USA) is putting on a show! A-Cat sailors were treated with another day of 10-18 knot breezes.
After five races over two days, with one throw-out, Mahoney is sitting pretty with 5 points. Larry Woods (CAN) sits close behind with 9 and Francisco Venetucci (ARG) with 14. The top classic sailor is in sixth overall - Bob Hodges holds a one-point edge over Haywood Cope. It's tight, tight, tight!
This regatta feels like a family reunion. Singlehanded sailors from the USA, Canada, Argentina, Poland, and the Virgin Islands are trading blows on the turquoise, flat-water racecourse at Upper Keys Sailing Club, longtime host of the North American A-Class Midwinter Championship.
The dock talk today was all about the asado Argentino - an annual tradition that draws all the sailors to gather at the yacht club sharing stories over beautifully grilled Argentinian steaks and a glass of red wine.
With the A-Class World Championship coming to the United States this November 9-14 at Davis Island Yacht Club in downtown Tampa, Florida, this week is about more than just results. New boats are debuting. Gear is being refined. Hypotheses are being tested in this box-rule development class. The momentum is real, and it's building fast.
Racing continues Friday and Saturday.