A-Class: Ronstan Midwinters 2015 @Key Largo, FL: Bruce Mahoney 1st

Images by KeylargoLightHouse.com – Full gallery at their FB page–
Bruce Mahoney won the Ronstan 2015 with a 2015 DNA platform/foils. But the star of the event in my view was Woody Cope on a floating Nikita. First day they had calm winds and Cope scored 3 bullets, Second day with 12-17knots and he maintained position against the full foilers DNA & Exploders.Tying in pts with Bruce for the first place. This showing that clearly the Class can stay together in this current transition, although there is no way back from airtimes.

I respect Bimare and the Italian sailors going for their own alternative, but I think as the French Assoc proposed and I supported fully, that the best way is to implement an additional ranking on these transitions times. So much to learn in the A-Class to even reach the foiling stage, that is a pity having a split in Italy.

Ronstan Midwinters detailed equipment report sent by Bailey White written by Bob Hodges, both raced with Exploders, Bailey with Exp Z and Bob with J/Z Hybrid version from Exp, they finished 3rd & 4th respectively. Sam Armington 6th with his own built A:
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“Day 1 had 3-6 knots of wind, very flat water. A Nikita with C boards won all three races but an Exploder with Z’s had a 2-6-2 and an Exploder with J-Z’s had an 11-3-3. Upwind, the Z Exploder raised his weather board while the J-Z Exploder kept both down and both had good pace. Downwind, both were raising their boards as high as possible (the Z board boat actually took one of them out and put it on the trampoline). The sailor on the Nikita is a very experienced A-Class sailor that is planning to convert his boat to a foiling setup.

Day 2 had 13-17 knots and the foilers dominated. Upwind the Exploder with J-Z boards was very fast, the Exploder with Z’s (both down) struggled to keep pace. Downwind, the J-Z Exploder and the DNA with Z boards were close speed wise with a bit of edge to the top DNA Z sailor based on his experience and skill level.

Day 3 got cancelled due to high wind and storm cells.

The Exploder sailors are hoping for a new Z board that is similar to the DNA Z board. While the Exploder J-Z seems up to the task currently for performance, it’s not as forgiving downwind. In under 8 knots, we still all believe that a well sailed C board boat is going to have the edge in performance even though we really closed the gap when comparing the light air racing at this event to the light air racing at our first event in Islamorada last month.”
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Top ten below , full results (31 boats) Here: