Healthy? Cat sailing is NOT healthy in Australia, especially Tornado's. It is not the classes fault but the sailors, Association, our sailing Federation and the manufacturers, Cat sailing is dead in this country there is a small number of Hobie 16's which could be called a class, sailing out of a club far north side Sydney, which is a difficult 1 hour drive from Sydney Central, a city with over 5 million people surrounded by perfect sailing waters you would not have to be too smart to figure out that we are doing something wrong. Now I am Finished with the Worlds I have lost all interest and faith in the sailors and the associations here in Australia, if I continue sailing i will be concentrating to compete in Europe as it is a waste of time and money here in Australia <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
Mark
Agreed Mark, Cat sailing in Oz is far from healthy.... However as I stated, the Tornado fleet has 3 very healthy club fleets in OZ, being Darwin, Nedlands and Somers. Unfortunatly they are seperated by great distances a lot like the 3 F18 clubs, Kurnell, Manly QLD, Frankston. Unfortunatly, you will find it very difficult introducing am F18 fleet at these Tornado Clubs and visa versa with Ts at the F18 clubs. The sailors at these clubs are very passionate about their repective classes.
At the moment, I am over the sailing and the Cap is on the market. What I do in the new season who knows.... May spend a bit of time on the pointy end of an F18 and hopefully a Tornado as well as a bit of big boat stuff.
I was quiet involved in the Tornado Class some years ago.... Never really got into it with the F18s as you well know, however in a year or 2, am looking into a weekend learn to sail school. Teaching people how to sail is an old passion of mine from way back with my old club and Accadamey of Sport.
Hopefully this would be a little something possitive for our sport on a local grass roots level.
Anyway, see you at the club. Brent and I may dust of the Cap for a race for old times sake. We sailed together for 7 years on the 5.8, Tornado and F18..... Tough to let it go but will be forever a great mate.
