To be quite frank, I'm more worried about our ISAF membership / recognised status then the Viper F16 becoming an Olympic class. Afterall, the Viper will do so as a SMOD class and formula classes is where the future is. Maybe this is the best of boths worlds. Development in the F16 class, then every 5 or 10 years or so a trickle-down to the SMOD Viper. That is basically what happened to the Taipans 4.9 too and avoids another chupahooka disaster like the last Olympics. Also the Viper is pretty close to where our scene is with respect to design. It is today's cat technology and I'm sure the carbon mast will be fitted when it is selected as all olympic sailors really want that (Viper F16 => 120-125 kg and allowed under F16 class rules thus no problems). Of course, there is already experience with carbon masts in the class so it won't be a dud either. As such the Viper F16 will be a good showcase to the larger public. It will be a viable cat design for many years to come, worthy of replacing the Tornado (less then 10% slower and on a par with modern F18's). It will also be the better of all dinghies by a huge margin, all without the issues of an perceived open class unequalness and it will allow female sailors to shine. As people say; it simply checks alot of boxes.

Other then that, we have weathered heavier storms then that over the last 8 years (think, selling luxury goods during 3 credit crunches 911 (2001), dot.com bust (2003) and world recession (2008-2010) + going heads on with the competing products of other bigger builders (F17 FX-one F18-HT etc).

Besides the F16 class doesn't have a full developped scene yet that may be disrupted like the F18 or the A's. Sure we'll see some effects, but nothing to fret over. Current owners have the boats for the love of them not because of any long term plans.

We'll be alright.

As far as I know (but correct me if I'm wrong) the F16 class and boat owners are also not of the mind to (officially or publically) vote against the Viper F16 as an Olympic class or spinnaker class (as the H16 class might). Unlike what the F18 and A-cat class and owners have done.

All the lines seem to link-up quite nicely in the case of the Viper F16.

However, with ISAF one never knows !

Wouter