Hey Mary, in the case of the Hobie Class Association and the Hobie Classes it is somewhat confusing. The Hobie 16 Class Association, the Hobie 17 Class Association, the Hobie 20 Class Association, and the Hobie Tiger Class Association are ALL paid up US Sailing classes. I assume that the HCA is all of those, and maybe more, and would speak for all of them. It's all part of the situation with a manufacturer-based multi-class one-design class association.

As to why none of the Performance classes are paid up, I can't say.

The Alter Cup Committee asked class associations. I don't know if paid up was one of "their" considerations in asking a rotating or Olympic class. I know that it wasn't something I previously thought to ask about myself. I also believe that it wasn't a part of asking Hobie or Performance. That said I think it's a good idea. Anbd I think that this is how we improve the Alter Cup, by talking about it and taking good ideas back to the committee.