Hi David P

I was using your results to illustrate how the uber one design mindset shapes events like yours. This mindset goes something like this… Those other sailors on those 22 other boat designs at this regatta will see that “NOW WE HAVE ONE DESIGN” They will be impressed… they will want to join us… CAUSE EVERYBODY LOVES ONE DESIGN! (just ask Hobie how well this notion works)

As this thread has laid out… there are many valid reasons WHY this just isn’t working out!

What I think is important to take home from this debate is to note just how bent out of shape over the relationship of “OD racing” to “Just Racing” the USA sailing scene actually is. Compare the USA to the rest of the world at the level of running weekend events! Can you imagine… a fleet of 20 Hobie 16’s… allowing a 5 boat fleet of Darts to start with and race against them in this country for a weekend event….. I can’t (nor can Mary for somewhat different reasons (grin)!. However, it seems like in the EU, Australia and South Africa… This is the NORM!… and not worth any amount of debate….They define this organization of racing as MORE FUN! Yet in the USA… we have a continual debate over this issue.

You noted… “they seemed quite happy when the 5th boat showed up to make for two fleets.” My guess is that two sailors of the 11 were vocal about ……. "WOW… WE GOT ONE DESIGN" and the rest did not give a damn. In fact, the one-design siren song caused your very competitive (as your data show) 11 boat fast spin fleet to split into two! (well if you count a Tornado, I20s, and Single handed I20 a fleet). You did not report the race as Open spin or trophy it that way in keeping with the vocal minority wishes… (Now I wasn’t there but I have a guess as to the sociology) For some reason your experience is not unique … but it does appear to be idiosyncratic to the USA….

So... Two 5 boat fleets seemed better (at least to the most vocal of sailors in the crowd) … only in America.

A reality check for these uber one design folks would be to ask the sailors on the 22 other boat designs if they were impressed by the one design turnout they just witnessed and when they planned to join in…. (Cause EVEYBODY WANTS ONE DESIGN! ) My guess is that hell freezes before this happens.

I understand that TBCS was trying to accommodate the wishes of the sailors who participated. My point is perhaps we would be better off in the long run if your fleet said… I understand what some of you want… This is an open spin race on handicap (fast boats)…. We will award one design trophies in the mail… thanks for coming. This seems to be how the yacht clubs in the rest of the world manage this one design itch of the sailors!

Take Care
Mark

PS... how is your Tornado/P19 Rig working out?
PPS... Is Greg Smith AKA Smitty and still perfectly able to hold an I20 down solo?