Hi... It is probably best that you have all the information before everyone jumps up and down..below I have just cut and paste the ballot.. i will come back when I have more time.

135kg does not effect any of the current sailors competing in the events it has effect on.

It is just to stop me or anyone else sailing with a child at the next olympics!!!!
Its to encourage fair sailing.
Regards
Bundy


2007 CLASS RULES BALLOT ITEM

CLASS RULES, SECTION C - CONDITIONS FOR RACING
Ballot Item #1 - Minimum Crew Weight
EXISTING RULE:

-NONE-



PROPOSED RULE:

ADD C.2.2 CREW WEIGHT

For ISAF Grade W, C1 (Europe), World Cup, the Olympic Regatta and ISAF Olympic Qualification events, the minimum total crew weight shall be 135kg.
a). Weighing of all crews before the event is required.
b). Weighing of crews during or after the event is optional at the discretion of the organizing authority, as posted in the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.
c). Crew substitutions for the purpose of complying with the weight limit are not allowed.
d). Each crew member shall be weighed individually while wearing dry shorts or swimwear.
e). Crews failing to comply with the weight limit before the event or prior to a day’s racing shall be required to carry corrector weight equal to the difference between their crew weight and 135kg for the duration of the event.
f). Crews failing to comply with the weight limit after a day's racing may be subject to disqualification from any race sailed on the day of the violation.


AMEND C.6.2(b)

The total corrector weight for the boat shall not exceed 5kg. This shall apply to boats first registered after February 1977. The total corrector weight for crews shall be as prescribed in class rule C.2.2.e.


REASONS IN-FAVOR: (submitted by Darren Bundock – edited by Mike Grandfield)
The proposed rule would protect the class from crew weight manipulation at major championships held at very light air venues.
- The proposed rule will not impact teams that race locally or at regional events.
- However, the ITA Championship Rules and wind limits are not in effect at the Olympic Regatta or ISAF Olympic Qualification events - races will be started in as little as 3-4 knots o breeze.
- At Qingdao, last August there was only one day of racing of when I needed a crew at all. In these conditions, a lightweight helmsmen sailing with 45kg kid on the front of the boat could have an insurmountable advantage.
- If this were to happen, it would undermine the integrity of the Olympic qualification process.

135Kg is a fair minimum weight
- It is a lower crew weight than has been proven to be competitive across the 6-25knot wind range.
- If a very light team starts racing regularly at the top events, they will gain weight to become competitive.
- if a very light local team occasionally comes to a top event, the corrector weight would not be likely to be an important factor in their performance.

Setting minimum crew weights is not unusual in catamaran classes
- Low crew weight can have a major effect on boat speed in light air.
- The Tornado and A Class are the only two catamaran classes I can think of without a minimum crew weight.



REASONS AGAINST: (submitted by: Norman and Gary Chu – USA 836, – edited by Mike Grandfield)
The class rules should not be changed for the Olympic Regatta, a regatta that does not adhere to the class rules.
Setting a minimum crew weight of discriminates against teams under 135kg:
- the Tornado is an 'Open' class, so at the Olympic Regatta crews can be 2 men, 2 women, or 1 man and 1 woman
- this rule would impose an unfair restriction on women crews or open crews; and on crews from countries who culturally are small
- the RRS do not permit corrector weight to be carried on a person's body; it must be on the boat
- the proposed rule would equalize the conditions in light air, but does not equalize the conditions in heavy air

We are better off leaving the class as it is
- The class naturally selects the crews who are good in all conditions, and now everyone has the right to choose a crew which is light or heavy.
- It has always been accepted that in heavy wind, heavy crews have an advantage, why can’t it be accepted that in light winds, light crews have an advantage
- No one is discriminated against when everyone is given the same opportunity to sail light or heavy.