This year the 505's are holding their World Championship regatta on San Francisco Bay. Everyone came expecting big breeze and that's exactly what they've found sailing on the Berkeley Circle in this warm up to the 2009 SAP 505 World Championship. Its clear that there's a lot of talent in this class and its going to take every bit of their skill to get the job done and hold up the trophy as World Champion for 2009.

San Francisco, St. Francis Yacht Club, 16-30 August 2009
 

Videos from the Pre-Worlds/North American Championship

 North American Championship / Pre Worlds Final Results
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Opening Day  �   Day 1  �  Day 2  �  Day 3  �  Day 4  �  Day 5  �  Day 6

John Navas: Video Playlist  �  Photo Gallery

Sailgroove Daily Live Video Reporting, Race 1 � Race 9

Sharon Green � Sharon Green � Eric Simonson � Eric Simonson
Dave Keane � Christophe Favreau � Eric Simonson � Eric Simonson - Peter Lyons

Photo Gallery on Google Drive � Boat Park Photos � Worlds Equipment List

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Daily Reports:  Day 1  �  Day 4  �  Day 5  �  Day 6  �  Overall

Worlds Results: Race 1-2 � Race 1-3 � Race 1-5 � Race 1-7 � Race 1-8 � Race 1-9

Overall Report with Photos

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5O5 Worlds 2010 Event Presentation

European Championship, Kiel 2009: Photos � Results � Fierce Duel Of The Kieler Woche Giants

5O5 Europa Cup #1 2009: Photos
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The 2009 SAP 5O5 World Championships and North American Championships are coming to the St. Francis Yacht Club Sunday, August 16th through Sunday, August 30th.

With more than 180 competitors from around the world, initial entries include 2008 World champions Ian Pinnell/Carl Gibbon; 2008 European and 2007 North American champion Ethan Bixby sailing with Australian legend Simon Gorman and 2006/2007 Australian champions Michael Quirk/Geoff Lange. A veritable �Who�s Who� of American sailors includes 2009 Mid-Atlantic Champions Ramsey Key/Drew Buttner, Mike Martin/Jeff Nelson fresh off their win at the 5O5 King of the Bay as well as local stars Howard Hamlin/Paul Cayard, Mike Holt/Carl Smith and Nick Adamson/Steve Bourdow.

The North American Championships open for registration and measurement on Sunday, August 16th with three days of racing beginning Tuesday, August 18th. The World Championships open Friday, August 21st featuring seven days of racing beginning Sunday, August 23rd. All races will take place on the Olympic Circle west of Berkeley, specific courses will be designated in the sailing instructions.

'The 5O5 is one of the most exciting fleets on the water and SAP is proud to be sponsoring the 2009 World Championships at the St. Francis Yacht Club,' commented John Schwarz, member of the Executive Board, SAP AG. 'The competition will be intense as champions from around the globe face the strong winds and complex currents of San Francisco bay. We believe the key to success both in sailing and business is similar: both depend on clarity of strategy and immediate insight into performance. If you understand the elements and conditions facing you, then you can chart the winning course.'

Very little has changed in the 5O5 class in terms of overall specifications, although materials have changed dramatically to carbon fiber and epoxies over the last 50 years. The 5O5 is distinctive due to its flared sides, long spinnaker pole, large spinnaker and the trapeze used by today�s wet-suited competitors. Designed in 1954, the 5O5 first became popular in France and Europe. Today more than 18 countries have 5O5 fleets. The 5O5 was named an official racing class in 1955 by the IYRU and continues to be a 'one design class' with strict rules governing the boat. One of the strictest elements of the class is the weight of both the bare hull and final sailing weight. It�s not a surprise then that this year�s Worlds will have two full days of weighing and measuring preceding each race.

'One-Design class rules tightly control the sailplan and hull shape while leaving the rigging layout, spars and foils more open,' commented Pip Pearson, International 5O5 Class Association President. 'This allows the boat to be set up in many ways and we�ll see several distinct types of sail and layout combinations from the US, Australia and Europe. While there are many ways to rig the boat; it still takes the best sailors to win.'

Hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club, the title sponsor for the event is SAP, the leading provider of business software solutions. Other sponsors include the presenting sponsor APL, the international shipping firm; North Sails; the International 5O5 class; Ronstan, the sailboat `hardware maker and Lindsay Art Glass, for competitor trophies.

'The St. Francis Yacht Club is honored to host the 2009 SAP 5O5 World Championships,' commented Commodore John McNeill. 'This world class competition is a premiere part of our traditionally intense racing agenda, and another great addition to the eighty year history of St. Francis Yacht Club.'