Rolf is absolutely correct about the national sailing authorities.
The sailing federation could care less about the team... they only care about winning a medal. .... Once the country has qualified... eg one of the teams finishes high enough in the world's Grade one and two events to secure one of the 20 slots allocated to Tornados .... the sailing federation could send whomever they wish to the Olympics. They do not even have to send they’re "top team". So, nothing would stop a country.... especially a country with a lower ranked and back of the fleet team to take that helm, roll the dice and create a new team with one new member weighing in at 70 lbs if they thought it would get them a medal.... In fact... it would be the smart thing to do!
Remember, they have the same discretion as the Gymnastics or Ice Skating federations... (For example the USA sailors might remember that Michelle Kwan was given a slot at the last Olympics based on her past accomplishments in ice skating. ... no worries about the competitor who finished third!).
By voting against the proposal, you shift MORE power to the Sailing Federations and TAKE power away from the sailors in the Class who are competing for the Olympic competition.
For USA Sailors... do you really want to give Gary Bodie the opportunity to "COACH"... ???
(remeber this is the guy... who failed to discern that Kelly Jason was a GIRL entered into A MEN'S ONLY F18 ISAF competition and peform the proper due dillegence to make sure she had a waiver (or not...), but the other GIRL in the competition when informed that she could not helm with two X chromsomes withdrew and that was that.)
For the rank and file sailors, this class rule has no relevance... This is simply for the China Olympics and effects only the sailors who compete at the international level. By passing the weight minimum, the Class can preserve some integrity in the Olympic game by simply passing the min weight rule.
The hand wringing about the fairness to the featherweight sailors, etc, etc is not the essential issue.
Mark
