F18 AUS , Nedlands YC Cat Classic 2017: Colby & Dalton 1st

Photos by Jeanette Kinsey published in the Australian F18 Assoc. –
I was posting the article on this event when I received a mail from Gavin Colby with a report from the regatta.
Having him sailing the Scorpion its great news, one of the most talented catsailors inthe World with a couple of H16 Worlds Titles and podiums, racing the lines I draw for the F18 OP its a great satisfaction, as I started sailing cats on a Hobie 16 myself.

Gavin & Jayden Dalton won the Nedlands YC Cat Classic this weekend over another top crew, Brett Burvill & Ryan Duffield on the super proven Windrush Edge, so Colby-Dalton win has double merit.

They sailed and won with a boomless Brewin DS (for those thinking a boom is mandatory)  and shorter foot by Steve Brewin. Report below. Full results here.
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2017 Cat Classic report:  “eXploder Scorpion powered by Brewin Sails Decksweeper main, jib and kite wins the Hobie Class Association of Western Australia annual Cat Classic Regatta.

Sailed at the Nedlands Yacht Club in Perth the 37 boat mixed fleet consisted of multiple World and National Champions including Cam Owen, Gav Colby, Brett Burvill, Darren Smith and current youth Nacra 15 National Champion, Shannon Dalton.

The mostly light to moderate conditions hurt the non-spinnaker boats with the F18’s leading the charge to secure the top spots.

Gav Colby & Jayden Dalton’s brand new eXploder Scorpion powered by a graphite set of Brewin Sails with the new ‘Decksweeper’ design main sail proved the fastest in all conditions. Despite not finishing race one the eXploder showed some impressive upwind speed to win over Brett Burvill and Ryan Duffield on a F18 Edge.

First impressions of the Decksweeper main sail, the first in West Australia were that it was instantly fast, easy to trim and seemed to improve in performance upwind as the breeze built. Gav also commented: “I would be calling Stevie Brewin asap to order one. The horse has bolted now and if you have not got plans to get one call your sailmaker. They are that much better!”
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