Hall Of Fame

This page is dedicated to those individuals who have done more than most to further the A-class and it's aims.

Dieter Melcher, SUI 192, he wrote most of the IACA Constitution

Dieter  wrote: 

I’m very honoured to receive this great award and I dedicate it at the same time to everyone supporting this wonderful A-Cat Class. 

In the early days A-Cats were mainly built in garages and everyone tried to have the fastest one. At that time we could not imaging that later on A-Cats would fly and reach such terrific speeds and with sailors with a helmet.  

When we founded the “International A-Division Catamaran Association” in Bavaria in May 8th, 1975 (with quiet a lot of beer), I was elected as the first IACA-President, naturally with the obligations to formulate the first Constitution (2 pages), the first International Racing Rules (1 page) and search for clubs racing us!

Ben Hall, USA, for numerous contributions and innovative design to the class, especially in USA

Graeme Harbour, for his incredible help in the IACA Committee (Class Rules and Championship Rules modernizations), and of course as International Measurer.  He has driven the class to a strict adherence to the World Sailing class rules.  As a result, the class is now the cutting edge development  design is was originally envisaged to be.

Piet Saarberg - NED 1 for his innovation and enthusiastic presence within the class.

PJ Dwarshuis said this on Piet Saarberg  

Piet was a very good designer also. He designed the Pesa A-class catamaran which was quite innovative at the time. It was a big volume, quite fast boat.

Piet is a great guy, he's okay, he is still sometimes sailing;  his memory is sometimes failing a little bit, but the guys at Hellecat sometimes still need him.

Piet did a lot for the A-class, he was secretary of the IACA for many years and he spent thousands of hours for the A-class, so put your hands together for Piet.”