As some of you, who follow us since a long time, will know, B.C.A. - Demco Kit is promoting the relaunch of the Micro Cup Class in Italy. Micros are small "cruisers" (maximum hull length of 5.50 meters), fast but not extreme, fairly cheap, and suitable for amateur building. This sailing class was created in France in 1977, and was widespread in Italy in the Eighties, but its diffusion decreased and eventually the Micro Class disappeared as a racing class. Thanks to our initiative something is getting under way again, but too little for us to be satisfied with it. Now an important news make us hope for some improvement: the Italian Class Association finally has a new person in charge, namely Stefano Cottardo, not a newcomer, as many will know. He is that brave man who sailed a motorless Micro in the cold Norwegian waters, venturing beyond the Arctic Circle. Together with his friend and adventure companion Edo Passarella, he wrote (under the pseudonym Stefano Leon Rodriguez) a widely enjoyable book, “Fior di Norvegia” (visit the website www.fiordinorvegia.it). For whatever information you may need on the activities of the Class, contact him via e-mail at stefanoserena@hotmail.com As for us, we can only wish him to be successful, and invite you reader to direct your interests into this sailing class that we think appealing for many reasons. Here they are, once again, hoping to be more convincing this time: - the fundamental principle that lies beneath the creation of this class, namely racing with a cheap, easily transportable, fast yet not extreme yacht, also suitable for small cruises, is well-founded and legitimate, proved by the success it is achieving abroad. - The rules system, typical of a development class, is stimulating for designers as well as racers, and gives amateurs the opportunity to test their creativity and skills. - The Class environment, competitive yet friendly and relaxed, is pleasant and can give satisfaction to both the fierce racer and the Sunday sailor. - Though not largely developed where it originated (France and other Western European countries), the Micro Cup Class is increasingly widespread in Central and Eastern Europe, allowing for a busy calendar of regattas, and always at least thirty boats racing. - The races are usually held in pleasant, tourist districts easily reachable from Italy, even with a trailer. - Not least, specifically regarding our activities, the Micro Cup is one of the few classes in which a amateur-built boat has good chances. In fact, we have three Micros in our catalogue, and one of them, SAM, has already quite successfully participated to a Class World Championship. In Italy Micros can race in the regattas organised for the Open Cruising Class, unless minimum length limitations are in use by the local organising club. We suggest to look at the F.I.V. (Federazione Italiana Vela) calendar for the regattas’ dates. The Velalonga race in Venice is traditionally open to Micros. On the Class’ website www.microclass.org you will find the calendar of international regattas, yacht rating limitations, pictures and technical characteristics of standard Micro Cup and prototypes, and more news. Main requirements and limitations for the Micro Cup Class Maximum hull length: 5.50 metres Maximum beam: 2.45 metres Maximum draft: 1.10 metres Sail area Main + Genoa: 18.50 m² Sail area Spinnaker: 18.50 m² Berths (minimum): 3 Minimum weight: 450 kg