Just a small comment on the M20/Texel debate. Wasn't there a period with (almost) no wind for the leaders this year? If so, it would give the slower boats a good opportunity to catch up with the leaders.
Only when we do handicap calculations or are looking at crews spaced significantly apart. However, I based my entire post solely on ELAPSED time results and Remco Kenbeek was one of the leaders during the whole race.
A F18 that is only minutes behind a M20 is not helped in any way (on elapsed time) if the wind dies somewhere halveway on the course. Both will float at the same speed. However, from the video's it doesn't appear that the wind died completely. I guess it lightented up significantly, but if anything that favours the M20 again.
One of the really good arguments for uni-rigs are the lower structural loads on the platform, so they can be buildt lighter. With the minimum weight we have in the F-16 class, there is no need to optimize for a uni-rig.
Most of the Dutch M20's seem to have converted to a sloop rig now. They add a bridle foil and everthing is dandy. Also how much additional glass do you need in each hull to withstand the bridle loads ? The vertical loads on the hulls are much the same, only the sideways ones increase. 5 kg per hull at max ? 10 kg in total ? A jib sized at 25 % of the mainsail will add about 5 to 8 times as much performance to the boat then reducing the weight by 10 kg. So if you had to decide as an engineer you would choose the jib.
Wouter
