From the Hobie Division 3 (Northern California) chairperson's report the the NA Hobie annual meeting.
"On the championship front, two classes, the Tigers and 17s, were offered North American events in the Division. The combined event was bid, in its entirety, by the Saint Francis Yacht Club with the endorsement of Division 3’s Fleet 240. In the end, it was only the 17 fleet that chose to attend the event. It is regrettable that the Tiger class allowed this truly unique opportunity to pass. I am pleased to report that the 15 boats in the 17 class represented the Hobie class extraordinarily well and these gentlemen should be thoroughly commended. The 17 class enjoyed the truly world-class regatta management of the StFYC’s professional regatta staff and the undeniably gracious hospitality of the club. It was a stellar event! It’s a pretty nice place. It has some nice views as well.
I understand that there will be a full report on the Tiger class NA issue by the regatta committee; I hope to add some comment to that report before it is presented. This is the second year in a row that we have not had a NAs for this class which is very much a shame. This was indeed a world-class opportunity well and truly blown! With an organization such as the StFYC, very much at the progressive fore-front of our sport, the impact of this non-event could well extend beyond the local area and region. I was at the event every day, on the committee boat for most of the time, and I would like to reiterate that the Hobie 17 class saved a lot of face for the Hobie class."
From the Race Director's report to the annual meeting.
"TIGER
Tiger North Americans
This event scheduled for July at the St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco was canceled due to a lack of entries.
A bit of history regarding the event. it was conceived by John Craig, the Race Director of the St Francis Yacht Club. He contacted us last year with an inquiry as to hosting the event. We met John at the Tiger Worlds in Santa Barbara, and went over all of the details. He was given a bid package. During the world event, both Lori and PU had chats with at least a dozen of the US Tiger sailors. All showed enthusiasm for the event. There were no negatives voiced. Lori also had chats with the Factory Tiger team.
Events followed which we will transmit to all assembled during the AGM.
HOBIE 17.
One week prior to the event, we only had 9 registered boats. We made a few calls, as did some of the competitors and that figure went up to 14 boats a few days prior to the event.
PU had several discussions with John Criag regarding the situation and its effect on the event budget. The effect was that the club would go into serious debt unless we made some cuts.
We did make cuts that we felt would not effect the competiton, but were still well in the red. At this point PU recommended he not attend the event, thereby saving lodging and transportation cost for the RO. Instead John who is qualified, would be the RO.
The final registration figures were 15 boats."