F18 Arg: 100 Years of Nautico San Isidro

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Current leaders Cruz Smith-Mario Segers

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Sergio Mehl-Julio Saubidet

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Ian Rodger-Juan M ‘Tigre’ Benitez

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Juan Faustín (head camera on) – Lucas Smith

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Agustín-Krevisky-Esteban Blando
Along with the YCA (Yacht Club Argentino) the CNSI, Club Nautico San Isidro, is the most important yachting institution in Argentina. Organizer of the 2006 Tornado Worlds (among other World Championships) Many of the sailors present at that T Worlds can tell you about this club: Yachting, 1st Class Golf course, Tennis, Squash, football…you name it, is there, all right there on the Rio de la Plata north coast of San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina–
What a better way to celebrate 100years of yachting including the F18 as a particpating class?

I was asked to replace Miguel Saubidet (skipper) on one of the Nacras due to some previous commitment to race in Chile, Miguel and Mariano are current F18 National Champions, so it was no easy challenge.
25knots, South breeze, strong gusts on 27+ at the beginning, and of course the presence of our little annoying waves.
It was my 1st time racing and helming the Infusion, and I couldn´t train not even 5 mins, as they are training for the Worlds almost every day.

1st race, we were a little late, and to tell the truth I was more worried on getting used to the boat that looking at the flags, and we missed the start! Not good….
2nd race, we were ready but the comittee boat changed the start with a moving rib, the line was awfully placed, in short we started late, but slowly gathering rythm, passed the rest of the crews training for the Worlds, and we reach the top mark 3rd, downwind was tough, so I started easy and deep, a conservative ride to maintain position, but with the Caps and other Infusions real close, 2nd upwind leg maintaining and we end last run downwind controlling for a really good 3rd on those conditions and 1st time at the helm on this boat, starting late and against the best local crews. On Sunday I had to travel 500kms to install a self tack and snuffer kit to the #1 RC sold in 2006, so I didn´t race , Miguel and Mariano close the weekend with 3 2nds.

Photo: Matias Capizzano – Mariano Heuser and I about to round the top mark
The Inf was perfectly tuned by Mariano and he was just perfect crewing. So it was a pleasure to ride the Infusion on those conditions, and what can I say about the Pete Melvin design that I already didn´t???? well it seems it was developed for our muddy and messy river.
I achieved total confidence on the the way back to the club, we were literally flying with the Spi with the turbo On.
Just an incredible day of racing and sailing the F18s-

This year we didn´t have qualification as only 5 cres were willing to go to Erquy, but next year I think we’ll have a qualy for sure and those races are going to be really interesting ….
I wont be present at Erquy, but for sure I will be following our crews in the blog.

All photos by our own Master photographer, Matías Capizzano.
Current positions, racing continues next weekend