I'm not taking the heat for starting the poll!

I think the rule makes good sense and is in place to prohibit giving out awards or listing results like "First Place Nacra F18, Second Place Nacra F18, First Place Hobie, Second Place Hobie, and so on". I could possibly see some folks trying to do that...or perhaps a manufacturer coming in to try and provide special awards for their platforms. This rule strictly would prohibit such singling out of manufacturers and favoritism and should most certainly be in place (but with perhaps some rewording). I believe this is the intent of the rule as well.

I don't see how it applies to listing what kind of boat 5th place was sailing on. We're not establish "ranking based on manufacturer" by showing what boat 5th place or 7th place was sailing (or everyone). If someone outside of the race or F18 organization wants to put that together, I don't see where it really matters - people do already. People already proclaim that their brand is better than others and use results to backup there assertions. Why hide the fact that we are an organization made up of many different brands and sail makers? Part of the biggest attraction for me to F18 is because the organization is so open, honest, approachable, and does things for the good of its members. Short of some disagreement on an occasional interpretation of a rule , there are not big arguments or political manuevering, nobody trying to hide anything. This is why I believe that more information in the results is not a bad thing - it promotes our values as an open and honest organization AND promotes the fact that we are a multi manufacturer class (which is a strength). It's a new concept in our sport and I understand why the idea gets a bit of resistance...but that's what I think...for what it's worth.