Steve Brewin regaining the lead after day three

all pics (c) eva fagnoli

Stevie scored a third yesterday and a second today. Glenn scored a win yesterday and a 19 today.

Both races were sailed in exceptionally light winds just around the class limit of 4 knots (from 2011 5 knots).

The DNA does it well in the light conditions because it can be sailed without any wake if the helmsman positions himself just in front of the frontbeam.

Although we had some decent sea breeze in the days before the championship the weather provides very light winds. Stevie is convinced that in 12 knots of seabreeze he would have had a even bigger advantage with his new DNA.

Tomorrow the committee send us out later (11.00 instead of 14.00) which will probably not help because the landwind is then already gone and the too light sea breeze will ave started up by then. Though we keep our fingers crossed for some decent breeze.

Steve Brewin leading after first day, after great comeback in second race

Stevie scored two twos today. The first one was in very light winds and that race was won by Glenn.
Th second one was remarkable, after been gassed by Scott Anderson in the start Stevie was mid thirties after the first mark, at the bottom he was already 8 and after the second round he was third and just catched Bob Baier at the finish. Luc Dubois won that race.
Stevie told me that it was his greatest comeback ever; he was flying downwind.
Glenn was fast in very light winds (just as fast as stevie) but could not match the speed of the curvies downwind over 6 knots of breeze.
Tomorrow another race day with  a similar weatherprediction as today. Maybe more general recalls will help us to sail in more breeze.

A-Cat Worlds starts today, Stevie wins practice race on DNA

Today the Worlds will start. yesterday the practice was sailed in very light winds. Stevie on his DNA beat Glenn. To the suprise of many the DNA with its curved boards was quick in those light conditions as well.

Both Stevie and the Scottgang  (Glenn, Chris, Brad, Scotty) were all using flexible masts with very powerful sails. Defintely a trend here.

Weatherforca\st for today is 5 knots from the Norh East but hopefully the seabreeze might pick up in the afternoon.

Happy sailing to all. More reports later tonight.

Team DNA at Cesenatico Worlds

6 DNA's will be present at the 2010 Worlds in Cesenatico.

Stevie Brewin (AUS 4)current vice-World Champion and former World Champion, (DNA, Brewin, Saarberg)

Chris Field (GBR 007) (DNA, Pink Hammer, Saarberg)

Roeland Wentholt (NED 95) (3rd on DNA at DNA's debut at the  last Vele di Pasqua) (DNA, Landenberger Maxx, Saarberg)

Pieterjan Dwarshuis (NED 28) (DNA, Ashby, Fibrefoam)

Arno Terra (NED 27) (DNA, Ashby, Fibrefoam)

Jaap Staakenbroek (NED) (DNA, Landenberger MAXX, Saarberg)

After the Worlds 3 boats will be shipped to Australia and one to Spain.

Understanding curved boards

2010 is year of the curved boards.

We are beginning to understand why curved boards work and how the boards should be setup.

More lift is als more drag so there is an optimum.

Sometimes the boards can lift the boat completely out of the water, especially in a tack or gybe, which can be a bit scary, though overall control of the boat is much better.

What we noticed is that while doing the wild thing we reach higher endspeeds and have more consistent speeds.

The boat can be pushed harder and we even see people standing in the trapeze while doing the wildthing.

Upwind the boat feels lighter and can handle more power. The boat foots very well but can be pointed if needed.

With the curved boards we enter a whole new area of performance. On a race course the boat is in medium conditions 3-5 percent faster than the old boats.

My prediction is that in the 2010 Worlds at least 80 percent of the top 10 will have curved boards.

CU in Cesenatico