First D-Zero sail by Pete McCoy, British Sailing Team & DZero Team Rider

​The first time I sailed the D-Zero was in Chichester Harbour Race Week 2017. This event attracts over 450 competitors, sailing a whole host of different boats in over 8 different fleets including: fast asymmetric, medium asymmetric, RS400, fast handicap, D-Zero and RS Aero 9, Finns, RS200 and the Foiling Moth fleet. Unfortunately for me, I was only able to compete in just one race of Chichester Race Week last year as I had a training camp in Weymouth in my Finn, which rightly so took priority at the time, but it was great to take the D-Zero out and see how it performed. The D-Zeros are grouped with the RS Aero 9’s and raced on the same PY, so effectively first over the line wins, which makes for some great close racing in the harbour. The race started in a very light easterly 5-10 knots that increased to around 15-18 knots. The RS Aero 9’s seemed to have a slight edge in the lighter winds, probably due to a slightly larger sail area and super light hull construction, but as the wind picked up the D-Zeros ability to tackle the short harbour chop on the upwind legs came into its element and I extended my lead in the race and took the race win, with D-Zero Tim Weeden 2nd and RS Aero 9 Phil McCoy 3rd. However there were many position changes throughout the entire fleet, which kept the excitement up throughout the race as we also dodged through the other 400 odd boats across the 7 other fleets. The D-Zero as a class has been growing rapidly since its launch in 2014 and its clear to see why. Devoti have created a great little boat that is easy to sail for a wide range abilities and will go well in all conditions, and rigging and transport is easy with the 2-piece carbon mast with main halyard. The D-Zero features a lightweight yet solid hull construction, and square top North Sails mainsail all come as part of the package. For me, the D-Zero is especially fun when the breeze gets up. It’s a very playful boat downwind, deals with chop brilliantly upwind and is really fast for a hiking dinghy. The Devoti build quality is superb, and the fleet numbers are only getting bigger. The 2018 calendar has various open meetings and championships spread across the UK and also class specific training. Check it out on the D-Zero class association website - d-zerosailing.org. and lastly, in 2018 I hope to compete at the D-Zero Nationals at the Mount Batten Centre in Plymouth. See you there!