A-Cat Midwinters 2026: Mahoney & Hodges take Open & Classics

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All Pro images by Hannah Lee Noll / winddancecreative.com

The A-Cat Midwinters finished this past weekend. Nice to see our mate Francisco Venetucci finishing second behind such experienced foiler like Bruce Mahoney. Fran started sailing F18s here in Arg, and later we pushed him to go As too. In this regatta he pulled a perfect port tack foiling start along another leading fyling start with long time F18 sailor that we also got him to As, Argie mate Ian Rodger. Yet another compatriot but living in FL for years now, Axel Issel, took 3rd overall in Foilers.

First video below of Day 1 with the port tack start plus plenty of footage:

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Videos above courtesy of Hannah Lee Noll / USACA. Check US Class Assoc fb for more vids here

Next post, interview by Hannah with Legend Randy Smyth and his special bow rudders A-Cat setup.

Below complete report by Hannah Lee Noll, who provide Professional level photos, Drone footage plus daily reports. A complete media package of top notch quality. Contact Hannah for covering your regatta at winddancecreative.com

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— Report Final Day by Hannah Lee Noll–

Bruce Mahoney and Bob Hodges Capture North American A-Class Midwinter Championship

KEY LARGO, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2026) — Bruce Mahoney (USA) and Bob Hodges (USA) captured top honors at the 2026 North American A-Class Midwinter Championship, hosted annually by Upper Keys Sailing Club. Extreme wind and weather conditions on the final day forced racing to be abandoned, locking in results from Friday as final.

The four-day Midwinter Championship served as the most important North American checkpoint in the lead-up to the 2026 A-Class World Championship, set for November 9-14 at Davis Island Yacht Club. With the Worlds returning to the United States this fall, the Key Largo regatta offered a clear look at who is finding speed early in the season.

Foiling Fleet

Bruce Mahoney delivered a commanding performance in the foiling fleet, translating pressure into points across the series. Multiple race wins and consistently low scores allowed Mahoney to secure the Midwinter title before racing was halted by weather.

Francisco Venetucci (ARG) made a late-series charge to claim second overall, while Axel Issel (ARG) rounded out the foiling podium. Several teams used the regatta to debut new boats and updated systems, treating the Midwinters as a proving ground ahead of the World Championship.

Classic Fleet

In the Classic division, Bob Hodges demonstrated the value of consistency, extending his advantage over Haywood Cope (USA) to secure the Midwinter title. Valdek Kwasniewski (POL) remained firmly in contention throughout the week, highlighting the depth and international strength of the Classic fleet.

Once again, Classic boats finished well inside the overall top ten, reinforcing the class’s reputation for rewarding smart sailing and clean execution across configurations.

Weather Shapes the Outcome

Midwinters delivered a full range of conditions over four scheduled days. Early racing featured classic Florida Keys flat-water foiling conditions, while a powerful front brought extreme breeze that ultimately shut down racing on the final day.

Despite the weather, the fleet remained fully engaged on shore, reviewing drone footage, comparing setups, and sharing ideas, hallmarks of the A-Class culture.

As longtime A-Class sailor Ben Hall noted earlier in the week, “In this class, it’s about fifty percent camaraderie and fifty percent racing. Everybody helps everybody, and that’s what keeps people coming back.”

A Proven Formula

Upper Keys Sailing Club once again showcased why it is one of the premier venues for high-performance sailing in North America. The sheltered waters off Key Largo provide an ideal foiling racecourse, while the club’s sailor-first culture and generous hospitality continue to define the Midwinters experience. Easily accessible from Miami, the venue offers both elite racing conditions and a welcoming community.

The A-Class Catamaran is a singlehanded, box-rule development class that encourages innovation within a defined measurement framework. Sailors compete in both foiling and Classic configurations, refining designs, rigs, and systems through experimentation and on-the-water testing. The class attracts Olympians, engineers, lifelong tinkerers, and dedicated amateurs united by a shared pursuit of performance. Take a tour of Olympic medalist and America’s Cup champion Randy Smyth’s Classic A-Class boat with a few unique features including bow rudders: https://fb.watch/EZb73qkseU/

Eyes on Tampa

Several sailors competing in Key Largo raced this fall at the 2025 A-Class World Championship in New Zealand, including Mickey Todd, Bailey White, and Axel Issel. With new designs debuting and speed gaps narrowing, the focus now turns to Tampa Worlds. The 2026 A-Class World Championship at Davis Island Yacht Club is expected to draw a deep fleet and showcase the class at its highest level on Florida waters.

Event Media & Results

Photos: gallery.hannahleenoll.com

Drone footage & interviews: facebook.com/USAClass


Results: upperkeyssailingclub.com/regatta/CpTrhx1mgK/results

Media by Hannah Lee Noll

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