Wow. Just wow. I'm all for freedom of speech and everything, but wow...
Less than a fraction of ONE PERCENT of all of us on this forum have a remote chance (or let's face it, real interest) in actually sailing in an Oly trial, let alone qualifying for the games; no matter what cat design is specified or ultimately selected (on anything from H16 to Tornado to something new with a wing).
So, our interest can only be as spectators. Why are we spending so much energy spouting off about all the things that are wrong with the proposal, rather than helping get behind a boat that will meet the requirements and get selected?
Better than that, start helping some sailors train (or at least raise money) so that when the time comes, they can qualify and ultimately win the event?
After all, it's supposed to be about the sailors, not the boats, right?
And don't wind up about mixed crews anymore. It's not like you were on a two-man crew waiting in the wings to get called to Rio. God forbid you get to watch a girl sail on a catamaran...
Mike
I definately look at the Olympics from the spectator side and that is important from a promotion of cat sailing perspective. How fast will the cats be going in 6 knots of wind on a 16ft cat with 140kg crew? The cats have to be exciting the whole Olympics not just the lucky windy day. Any decent skipper no matter what weight will keep a Tornado humming in light or heavy wind, they can wild thing in light and still go fast, don't tell me a Viper of Hobie 16 will still power on in the light. If its too windy for a light crew on the T with a full rig they can put a smaller sail on if they need to. As for limiting the weight to 140kg that puts this 15yo, 75kg girl, crewing on the Taipan 5.7 out of dreaming about the Olympics
