A Class Rules Updates, July 2022
In 2021 on the new D3 post we reported that there were some really subjective (as properly described in Polish Rule Doc below) measurement to force an A-Cat mainfoil to be out of 2.30m while inserting the board, only when the tip exit bottom. Same platform, same board while fully down in sailing position complied 100% with outer 230cm and inner 175cm rule.
We didn’t acknowledge the logical reason to force that specific non compliant, which forced the builder to the extreme top ‘S’ solution of the latest mainfoil boards from Exploder and DNA F1x.
Now the Polish Association along Brewin ,Bundock and Calavia among others have presented a formal rules change to get rid of that nonsense lateral pushing by a measurer while inserting the board.
This change should be passed next WGM no prob, as is pure Nonsense and working against sailors benefit doing the contrary. Current and new builders (sadly the Class in the foiling Div has become almost OD) will benefit on this rule change, avoiding more expensive tooling and final product cost.
Racing and Sailing wise this is transparent 100%. Next major A-Cat event will be held at Garda on Sepetember 12-16, 2022 Europeans: https://www.a-cat.eu/
Find below official while inserting proposals published IACA web (along Electronic Devices/Constitution changes docs) :
Maybe worth reading the Technical Committees comments at the end of the article on IACA’s web page as well…
A rule change might not be as simple as suggested, especially as the suggested wording isn’t based on definitions, what is “Race trim”, how to police it on the water etc.
And probably the only thing keeping costs down is rule stability, changing rules will start a whole new round of exploring possibilities and loop holes…
Thomas: Someone is pushing the boards at measurement to force non compliant, one of the most ridiculous things ever that resulted in more expensive tooling and boards (not possible to discuss that one) , and we don’t even need a discussion or new rule “change” if those in charge of measurement just bypass that subjective action, cause the same can be done pushing the tip of the board to a no compliant for the inner 75cm rule…. See the the point of nonsense? This rule update is pretty clear and to the point, measure at max foil down, where current measurers MUST place boards to review the inner rule. Done.
The measurement guidelines are quite clear on this point. They prescribe that the board is to be put in it’s worst position not using undue force. That is to replicate where it would sit in a racing situation.