F18 Argentina 2019 season: March 24 Weekend Racing: Volker & Mehl 1st

Photos: Jorge Cousillas / El Ojo Náutico – Pablo Volker & Sergio Mehl (Scorpion / 1D) scored 5 bullets out of 8 races this weekend to grab the first place overall on a local  Regatta. Conditions were 8 to 10 knots flat Northern but a bit shifty on Saturday, 1 to 2 trapeze. And Sunday was a full offshore blown out from the South West, super gusty and challenging conditions which left half of the fleet ashore.

Only the most experienced crews raced the second day. Many rookies participating, with the long time crews getting new boats the second hand market is offering great alternatives once more to enter the Class.
This was the cycle that make the F18 World wide fleet strong, and we are happy to see a renewed interest in the Class, from the old guard due to new boats/ devels /  DS sails and on newcomers discovering the Catracing realm, many former Laser sailors among them.

The stars of this regatta were Federico Reim & Nico Aragones (Scorpion / 1D). Fede had not been racing F18s for a while and recently got Mischa’s 2017 WC Scorpion. First time on the boat and thanks to key help of Nico Aragones (F18 Arg Champ x2 / N15 Coach) they managed to take on the local established crews both days. Impressive performance that puts pressure to the old guard towards Costa Brava Worlds in July.

Top 8 crews with even performances for the Scorpions & Phantoms, all equipped with 1D DS mainsails. Quite competitive fleet for the most experienced sailors and we expect some more top crews coming from Santa Fe for next regatta with two more Phantoms and another Scorpion.

The local fleet will continue to target Costa Brava as key event, last year there were some equipment issues for the Arg crews and Sarasota Worlds had a crazy week on conditions, same for all of course, but it was a tough Worlds where the Pro Greeks prevailed followed by two local US crews.

Costa Brava 2018 Europeans delivered one of the best events the Class has seen, and the org was awarded with the 2019 Worlds. 5 Arg crews already registered, and I’m happy to see many Australians going for it, an Aussie charge led by Burvill & Puttman excellent results last years Euros & Worlds on their 100% Aussie  Edge / Nxt Gen Sails platform.
Still the Class management has not implemented any economical help for those organizing containers to attend European events, and I think the Australians deserve support on their efforts.
The Arg crews will charter this time around.

Goodall Design is offering charters, contact them at goodalldesign.net/index.php/about-us/contact-us
Brett Burvill is offering Edges too, contact him at www.windrushyachts.com.au/contact-us
For Scorpions let us know and will get you one.

100 teams already registered for Costa Brava 2019 Worlds, check entry list and official web at: cvballena-alegre.sailti.com/en/default/races/race-inscriptions/text/f18-world-championship-2019-en

Results for this weekend Arg racing. Below a video  from Sunday, just to show some windward mark takes, poor quality on the zoom used, informative only: