F18 Argentina: Wildcat driving Test

Last ride on the only Wildcat available in Arg was some months ago crewing in pratice races, and some few minutes helming. The Blackie changed hands a few days ago to the new Hobie local dealer, Esteban Blando, a Tornado Sailor ‘forced’ to join the F18 and now enjoying the game finally, with the boat he always wanted. More Brand new Wcats are arriving soon. Photo: El Águila – The NED 007 Black beast.

But this Wildcat is special, as belonged to Mischa and Bastian in 2010.
On Friday we have a training session on excellent conditions with 14-15knots with some waves, I was impressed by the helm response, upwind and with Spi. After 3 good hours of sailing the new owner sailing it for the first time, had a huge grin on his face.
On Saturday we had a long distance race organize by the local catamaran club, El Águila, that is gathering the 90% of the fleet right now, with a few initial winward-leeward legs, nice format. I was helming all the way, we started too close to the rib but managed to avoid it and start clear. Perfect flat 10 knots double trapeze conditions and the Wildcat started searching for her ‘sweet spot’, a certain trim/speed where the boat starts to fly at constant speed but gaining angle at each second, the feeling is no drag at all, as I posted before, like snowboarding on powder, that is the exact feeling for it.

Already reported here, but this time as I helmed the whole race I could notice the incredible precision of the rudders, control and a smooth feeling to the max. One of my best sailing sessions ever due to the conditions and the boat, I was literally using my finger tips to drive it.
Still the final test missing, +20knots Sudeste and high chop. After some good runs with the lead pack, leading for moments on the initial windward legs, we ended 4th close to the top two MKII and a C2, the best 3 crews, full trained with European and US seasons on them, and I was sailing the boat for the first time, with Esteban too.

Last test the Wildcat was on longboards agains Inf v1s, now although we raced with the standard wcat boards, all brands have updated their designs and Sergio’s C2 and the Inf mkii were with longboards and new sail plans, so is nice to have a growing local fleet with all brands available. The best thing about the F18, A-Class and other formulas is having the opportunity to chose the boat that best suits you.
The difference in performance is marginal and depends on the conditions, and after two hours of racing with some lulls mixed with the excellent conditions 3 diff brands ended too close, and the gains were done by the crews. The regatta was won in great form by Juan Faustín-Lucas Gonzalez Smith, beating the ‘Euro power crew’ of Cruz Gonzalez Smith- Mariano Heuser (15th at Balaton) , 3rd some 20 meters ahead of us Sergio Mehl-Nico Aragones, we were 4th with Esteban, 12 boats racing.

Next drving test should be new Ian’s C2. He raced quite well for his first time but ended trapped on a no wind zone on an extended lull that last 30 minutes.
Also next week we’ll have the first official regatta of the 2011-2012 season.

F18 Argentina Long Distance at El Águila Club:
1- Juan Faustin – Lucas Smith , Infusion mkii
2- Cruz smith – Mariano Heuser, Infusion mkii
3- Sergio Mehl – Nicolas Aragones , C2
4- Martin Vanzulli – Esteban Blando , Wildcat
5- Javier Poclava – Gustavo Osuna , Infusion
6- Ian Rodger – Santiago Rigoni , C2
7- Martin Busch – Federico Heuser , Infusion
8- Nicolas Petre – Mariano vazquez , Capricorn
9- Juan pablo Sucic, Infusion
10- Alejandro caputo – Sebastian Mazza Capricorn
11- Sergio Armesto – Joaquin Duarte Capricorn
12- Gabriel Berberian – Leo Lulotta Capricorn

Esteban and one his ‘babies’ ( He also has the best local Tornado… don´t you ever think of touching his boats without permission….jeje) will be training hard for the 1st South Americans and 4th Arg Nats, another Wildcat coming and I think we’ll have some more in the future.