Ohh one more thing

Racing handicap is serious good training for

-1- getting maximum boat speed out of your prefered design.
-2- overtaking slower boats
-3- sailing clear and thinking ahead

Crews who do alot of open class racing are far more likely to be at the front of any OD fleet then guys who only sail a smaller number of only OD events.

Therefor Open class racing allows you to be a better sailor / crew.

Wouter