DAY 1 Highlights - SAP 505 World Championship, San Francisco 2009

[@test868]

I believe the gate start was invented in 1955 by the Firefly class (the boat the legendary Paul Elvestrom won his first Olympic gold in). I think originally they had a boat specifically at the event to be the pathfinder (or rabbit as the US seem to describe the role) with different coloured sails - the pathfinder didn’t do the race. The Firefly class used them because they had so many boats in the race (>200 boats), it’s interesting that the 505’s continue with gate starts. The 505 is a lovely boat, would be nice to see a resurgence of them here in the UK.

[@brucesegerdahl7892]

Tough race good job guys

[@markcampbell7577]

A good day to sail. ! If they were Keeled mast and headsails they would be faster and more easy to sail in weather.

[@guymonty96]

Poor editing, as usual with sailing videos. Obviously not done by a sailor, sadly.