Very interesting to note design trends.
For years the A class has been pioneering multi hull design with things like the reverse bows and volume changes. There has always been a rather fast paced evolution in this class due to the constant model changes and development/experimentation inherent in the class. By comparison other classes used to be relatively stagnant.

This is not so much the case anymore. New models and development in the F18 and F16 etc are coming fast and furious. New hull designs, rig and sail evolution etc.

The A class who recently were following the narrow hull shapes lines are now adopting trends taken from the fat boy classes where faster, easier driven hulls are not skinny but fatter. Turnabout is fair as the reverse bows, flatter keels and low placed volume were trends proved in if not pioneered with the A’s.

All things very cool for the techno junkies and the guys looking for the newest things. Not so cool for costs. Development, new models, new tooling etc are expensive and costs of boats to race show this. People have always accepted this in the A class, but the old builder set up in the classes like the F18 and F16 are seeing/will see this too.