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Who's Who - The Worldwide Spectrum
Recently I had very pleasant telephone conversations with several 5.5m friends in North America, talking to Daniel Rossi about new designs, chatting with John Lister and Eric Stockinger on restoration projects and informing Joseph "Joe" Gelsomino, who is heading the 5.5's in the USA on recent race activities here and future plans of 5.5m regattas in North America. Joe asked me about the 5.5m racing in other countries, for choosing the right one, when planning to race visit across the Atlantic with his own Classic 5.5m, in a not too distant future.
Thinking about it, I had to admit, that our class is a small circle of sailors, who have known each other for years and some - for decades. Communication is so far taking place accordingly, in small circles. Therefore we will take the opportunity to welcome and inform those 5.5m sailors, who have joined our class more recently, on the structure of the existing fleets, in The Fleet's News section. On top, it remains with the National Class Associations to maintain and frequently update their websites - and to include some information in English for our growing International community.
For those, who have not been to Buffalo, Joe has sent in a view to go for:
 | | 5.5 USA 52 "Little Sister" at the Club |
As transport can be a challenge for many, I would also like to take the opportunity to encourage 5.5m owners to invite sailors from other countries to join them aboard for local weekend sailing or maybe even for one of their races. Contacts can be made through those heading the Class in the different countries: http://www.5.5class.org/contact/contact.html
In North America it is now planned to reinitiate 5.5m racing in August next year in Rhode Island, in front of Bristol and Newport. Details will be published, when regatta dates are available. For that time Daniel Rossi is offering one of his 5.5m boats for charter, to an interested crew from Europe.
To make it a start here: For a crew-place aboard 5.5 GER 70 in Germany, this is the data: GER70<at> 5point5.de
Who is next?
Yours,
Kaspar Stubenrauch
President
International 5.5 Class Association
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Australia
The Australian boats are meeting for races on Sydney waters regularely and the fleet is consisting of mostly Classic boats, with a few Evolutions added. The Australian Championship in around March is the highlight of the season.
 | | Australian Championship 2012 |
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Austria
The Austrian fleet has many Classic boats, however as active boats we do only count one Classic; then Evolution and Modern boats, who do attend International race events. Felix Austria, make better use of your beauties!
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Bahamas
This is possibly the most consistent fleet of all, having since 1952 always been racing only the latest in design, making long ways to the races and being present at all major events. Even per capita, this is one of the big 5.5m units.
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Canada
The fleet of 5.5's in Canada is having Classics only, with CAN 7 and CAN 22 sailing; CAN 31 is ready, but is not used at the moment. CAN 44 and CAN 3 are in restoration. For the North American 5.5m meeting next year, we do hope to welcome several of these boats.
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Curaçao
This is a true Start-up unit, with one Classic, one Evolution and one Modern, enjoying the Carribbean waters.
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Denmark
Here plans are underway to restart the 5.5m scenery. So far sailing are one Classic, one Evolution and one Modern, two Classic boats are sitting in the dry. The local team is working to get more active sailors buying boats and joining the 5.5m races.
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Finland
For now a country with several Classic boats, to which only one Evolution and one Modern are added. Not too many races on the local calender, yet. The Modern boat is the one representing the long lasting and consistent Finnish participation in International races.
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France
A mixed fleet of Classic, Evolution and Modern boats are enjoying regular races and the Class is showing good development. The French Open and the European Championship are the big events to go for in 2013.
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Germany
With a majority in Classic boats, the Class has grown considerably over the last 12 years, the latest development including Evolution and Modern boats being added. A wide variety of races & silver to be won are on offer, on lakes and coastal waters.
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Italy
A pure Classic country; most owners in Italy are bound to the historic aspect of 5.5m sailing and are keeping a big number of boats in beautiful condition. Still, some work ahead to get most of these boats to racing, again.
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Norway
The Norwegian scenery is twofold, with an active group of travelling Modern boats and a dynamic local Evolution fleet, being the biggest 5.5m concentration of actively racing 5.5's in one harbour worldwide. A few Classic boats are there, but not racing, for now.
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Sweden
All existing Swedish 5.5's are Classic boats - no local racing though - but we do enjoy International participation by a courageous team, who have been with the Class already in 1968 and do hope that many of the other boats will be joining them. Quite a number of local boats are in restoration and will be ready for 2013.
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Switzerland
Here we do have a clear concentration on Modern boats, with a particular interest to bring new constructions to the races. Swiss design and boatbuilding have been the driving force in Class development. The country does also have quite a big treasure of Classic and Evolution boats, which are slowly returning to the races.
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The Netherlands
The country is showing a mixed fleet of Classic, Evolution and Modern boats, the driving force being the latest boats, who are regularely training and showing up at many International events
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USA
This is another pure 5.5m "Classic-country" with so far 5 boats ready to race and many more which could be activated. Once the dates for the August 2013 events are known, the promotion will start.
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Boats 4 Sail
Please contact the International Class, for information on boats which are looking for new ownership, in order to see these boats racing again:
Not all of these boats are officially advertised but known and the Class is keen to see the boats placed in waters where they will find suitable competitors, age- & speedwise.
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The Shop
Coral Reef Sailing Apparel is The Source for Class Apparels and Team attires!
Support your Class by ordering from CRSA online store ~ 15% of the annual purchase amount is going back to the Class and you won't be disappointed by the quality of their products! - Thanks.
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