The Milford Cruising Club is the picturesque New Zealand venue of the 2025 A-Class Cat Worlds. The club, based on the sandy shore of Castor Bay, is on the Northern side of Auckland and at the inlet of the Wairau Creek with its marina. Being over 100 years old, the club is well established as a sailing a social centre for the local area.
The fleet was split into two categories back in 2018, when the membership voted to allow foiling boats, with specific elements permitted, such as foil shapes and adjustable rudder rakes in an Open category, and in order to prevent older boats simply dying away, and their sailors lost to the class, the Classic category was born which had those boats remain with constant or straight main foils and only allowed to fly one hull at a time. Despite people’s misgivings, it proved to be a great success, it retained many of the older sailors who were unwilling or unable to modify or master foiling techniques, whilst allowing those with the circus skills to continue foiling. In the end, the Classic is the larger category, as the close tactical sailing proved a draw to those who wanted something faster yet manageable.
The Kiwis were always going to have their work cut out to match the record 179 boat turnout from last year’s event at PuntAla, Italy. Yet despite New Zealand not being on the way to anywhere, or in fact even near to anywhere, a 55-boat fleet is assembling, split into 22 in the Open foiler and 33 Classics. The Kiwi event looks to have gone for quality over quantity, as the quality of many of the sailors booked into this year’s championships reads like a masterclass in this fastest and most elegant single-handed catamaran class. It boasts several National A-Cat champions, former and reigning, plus a few National Champions from other class fleets. There are 4 past A-Class World Champions, including the reigning one, a multiple F-18 and Tornado World champion, a few Olympic sailors with a couple of them medallists, and an America’s Cup winning skipper. Oh, not to mention one twice ISAF World Sailor of the Year.
The neighbours from across the Tasman sea make up the largest contingent, with 20 AUS boats. Next is a good home team turnout of 18 for NZL. Then we have 4 POL, and 4 USA sailors, with the rest singles representing ITA, NED, FRA, GBR, ESP, and SUI.
The format will be for a two, twin race warm-up regatta, followed by a lay day to allow tweaking or fixing, then the Worlds with the same format over the next 6 days giving a total of 12 races and 2 discards. Separate courses for each category, racing simultaneously. And we’ll see if the Maori weather spirits read the Sis as regards the class wind limits of 5 to 22 kts.
At this time, it’s tricky to pick a winner, particularly in the Open fleet, as the proliferation of talent is rather concentrated, which should lead to some hard-fought foiling racing and the reigning Champ, Kuba Surowiec, POL 41 is on hand to fight then for the crown, The Classics could have a new name though, as Current Classic Champ, Gustavo Doreste-Blanco, couldn’t make the trip from Spain.
The fun commences on Sunday 9Th Nov. with the main event commencing on the 12th. Given the conditions, this one looks like it could be spectacular and fun and it was yesterday in some big seas!
All Photo credits to Gordon Upton – guppypix.com
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