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After the yachting world watched the multi-hull action unfolding on San Francisco Bay recently, New Zealand is gearing up to celebrate the class which has now bred some of the talented sailors who took part in the America’s Cup last month.
The A-Class Catamaran World Championships will be sailed off Takapuna Beach from 5 – 16 February, 2014. Recognized as one of the best sailing waters in the world, Takapuna has plenty to offer both sailors and visitors, with sometimes challenging wind and weather conditions keeping sailors at the top of their game.
The beauty of this event truly lies in the diversity of sailors, with a broad range of young and old, professional and amateur participants taking to the water.
A-Class sailor, Artemis Skipper, and 49er gold medallist Nathan Outteridge is looking forward to seeing how technology from the America’s Cup will affect the class competition.
“Foiling was clearly a big point of this America’s Cup, and I expect to see various different avenues of foiling explored over the next few years in the A-Class fleet to chase an overall performance improvement,” he says.
Although Nathan’s attendance at the 2014 World Championships is unconfirmed, he says the event is bound to be exciting.
Red Bull Youth America's Cup winners, Olympic Silver medalists and 49er World Champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have confirmed their entry adding to the already confirmed current multi A Class Catamaran World Champion Glen Ashby. The level of competition continues to rise in this amazing event. Takapuna, New Zealand is set to see some of the most competitive sailing seen at an international regatta when the A Class Catamarans launch off the start line in February 2014.
The A-Class fleet has a great group of people. I have no doubt that the Worlds in Takapuna will be a huge success. I’ve got a busy summer ahead, but if I can find the time to compete I will be there,” he says.
A typical training ground for multi-hull sailors, the A-Class continues to draw in a competitive field, from the speed-hungry sailors to the likes of ETNZ Skipper Dean Barker, in preparation for bigger multi-hulls. Top sailors work hard each year to experiment with new setups and designs, which is reflected in the tight, exciting racing on the water.
This highly competitive event has previously attracted over 100 international sailors to the fleet, and the 2014 World Championships are sure to be no different. Takapuna Boating Club’s beach front and park side location will provide superb viewing for the racing in the Hauraki Gulf.
More information for this event can be found on http://www.sailingeventstakapuna.com - or contact: Kerry Ellis, Event Director, Sailing Events Takapuna, Ph: +64 21353594 Email: kerry@sailingeventstakapuna.com
