I don't think that anyone said that the SL16 would be competing with other classes..F18, F17 etc.
Indeed, I was just trying to get to the bottom of what was meant by the title of this thread, and by comparing class growth with that of F16. I agree with you: I think it's irrelevant, except that I hope that the SL16 will lead to growth of all cat classes by bringing more people into the sport.
A question from the ignorant: do the ISAF youth events currently sail the H16 with or without kites?
Paul