Hey Mike

Reality check time.

Year by Year... the SMOD concept becomes less relevant to cat racing in North America.

1) The idea that costs are contained by SMOD is disputed by a majority of the experienced racers in 2009. Back in the day.... is history. (see mike fahles's post)

2) The idea that performance wins in SMOD is disputed by a majority of experienced racers who want sails that match their size to optimize their performance in a class and not the other way around.... Back in the day... "one cut fits all" .... is history. Notice, the hot classes are all formula!

3) The idea that IF we ONLY sanction HOBIE Class One Design racing THEN it will be good for the class and sailors is disputed by .... wait for it... HOBIE RACERS, who at this year's NA's .... quoting you..
"Just because there are a (potentially large) number of people that are vocally in favor, does not meant they are the majority," OR Chris about the guys who forced this response... "as soon as I smelled a riot, I stopped it."

(Perhaps, the needs of 10 or so Hobie 16 racers who may or may not be allowed to compete at Hobie 16 worlds is screwing up the needs of the riotous mob at the NAHCA meeting who have alternate views as to what's good for hobie racing in 2010.)

The IWCA class was not and is not telling NAHCA what to do.
NAHCA asked them to come play...

The F18 class is not telling NAHCA what to do... the request came from the Syracuse region... who lost a regatta this upcoming season and look at the success of the Canadian F18 season and say... Hey... that would be good for us!

I just asked you for a report on the motion.... I can't be any more neutral then that!

You are DREAMING if you think that catamaran world will suck up to the NAHCA and apologize or be grateful for any actions you take.

Should you change your policy and give starts to IWCA Waves and F18's... We will be thrilled and applaud your foresight. The cat racing community will recognize that your actions are serving your sailors and acknowledge your actions as vitally important to keeping the sport alive. We promise to not look backwards and only look forwards and jointly promote Waves and F18's to the sailors looking for that experience.... (I promise Tawd will be gracious and behave as well (grin))

And if your SMOD philosophy is unable to bend a little... Oh well... The world will continue as it's been going... The IWCA class and the F18 Class have their own regattas and NAHCA waves, Tigers and Wildcats are more then welcome to come out and play at these events. The OA's would LOVE to increase their attendance.

Mark

(oh... and to stop the thread... you and chris might stop pissing on other peoples toy boats... they tend to love them and scratch back.)