2018 Formula 16 North American Championships

Mark your calendars for November 2,3,4 and 5! 

We're going back to Clearwater, Florida for the 2018 Formula 16 North American Championships.

And I expect Red Gear Racing will be offering training opportunity prior to the racing days. Details on that will be announced as they become available.

Once again we will be including the Nacra 15s in our event, to contribute to the development of youth catamaran sailing, and to gain exposure for the F16 among teams who may eventually step up to the F16.

Same as 2017, we will be racing together with a single start, though the fleets will be scored separately. Yes, there is potential that boats not racing against each other could get tangled up, but it's the same possibility for all competitors. It's really nothing to fret about, so bring your best stuff and join us for a great time!

In 2019, I am very hopeful that the stars will align, and the Formula 16 and Formula 18 Fleets will come together for a combined North American Championships. There would be many advantages both for organizers and competitors. The North Cape Yacht Club in Michigan has been discussed as a potential venue for such an event. For a regatta this large, racing might take place as separate fleets on separate courses, but it sure would be fun to bring all these North American cat sailors together in one place. It's happening in other parts of the world, so let's keep the dialog flowing. The 18s will be together for their Worlds in Sarasota in October, and we'll be together for our NAs in November. Hopefully both groups will be behind the idea after those events and we'll break new ground in 2019!

That's all I've got for now.

Happy New Year to all!

Best,

Daniel Hearn
USF-16 Chairman