Thanks John. Interesting that only two "rotating class champions..." are chosen yet the Tornado class is named explicitly. Now that the Tornado is not an Olympic class, do they still put on a "Tornado Nationals"?

Most of the former T guys are sailing F18's or something else now, right? No disrespect to the Tornado class, I was all for keeping them in the Olympics, but I have not heard/seen too much T Class racing since they were dropped.

The conditions are up for modification typically once per year - the last time they were edited, I think there was still some hope for the Tornado in the Olympics.

Jake's right - the Conditions change a bit year to year sometime before the first Qualifier is sailed. No mods this year, although several are under discussion for the 2011 sailing season. That's why this sort of discussion is vital. Thanks for the input, Tim.

That's why it should be initiated by USS.

Who do you think "USS" is, Pete?

A very few paid staffers, a larger number of volunteers and lastly the dues paying members.

So of those groups, who do you think should initiate the changes we're discussing?

Guys,

While I will stand by my feelings and actions about New Jersey ... I should apologize to Bob Bergsted, Mark Santorelli and "Rondo" whom all put alot of effort into trying to hold the Area "C" Alter Cup Eliminations at Trixie's .....

And yes I'm being stupid when I don't wear a seat belt which is a bad habit I picked-up from my past Chevy Pick-up's since the shoulder strap would pass directly over my neck and chin ... uncomfortable, unadjustable and very poorly designed (and deadly in my opinion since it could/would crush you trachia in an accident).

But the point was ... out-of-state residents are "profiled" and targeted by local law enforcement .... and you should hear some of the stories my "minority" friends tell about their experiences in NJ at the hands of "law enforcement" ....

Hopefully some NJ businessmen and residents will speak up to their "leaders" and make a point that their behavior is not having a positive effect ... but a hugely negative one ....

Let's move on ....

This debate remined me that my US Sailing membership is up for renewal in August .... today is August 1st .... so I need to call Ms. Kate Daley/Membership Director at US Sailing tomorrow and renew my membership .... through the US Multihull Council!!!!!

Got to run now .... going to Rock Hall Yacht Club in Rock Hall Maryland for the afternoon to relax and do alittle sailing ....

And I'll make sure to wear my seatbelt ... in my F-150 Ford Pick-up .... (I solved Chevy's design problem .... I purchased a Ford ... my first and I really like it ....)

Harry

The only change I'm sure of is the need for better communication. I would hope that could be driven by the multihull committee though I don't see why it shouldn't be welcomed from any corner.

Specifically, I'd like to see the minutes of the meetings or a synopsis. If the general membership was made aware of the difficulties the committee face there might at least be some sympathy and perhaps even a modicum of understanding.

My experience in trying to fill a leadership role is that sailors are like a school of fish: they stick together, they know where they want to go, but not necessarily the best route, and they're startled by the least disturbance. They don't talk much either. That makes them a difficult group to lead.

Seek and ye shall find.

Thank you sir. Any more discussion about H16 since this meeting?

Next meeting:

2010 Annual Meeting
Embassy Suites Hotel
Phoenix / Scottsdale Arizona
October 20 - 23, 2010

Anyone want to be Council chair?

John,

How about getting a yearly report from each Area rep about what the current status of cat racing in the Area is.

What OD classes are active in the area.
What is the status of open class racing.
Do you have many dead boats actively racing.
How active is the racing scene (Schedule)
What percentage of each fleet is turning out for events.
What are the trends for each one design fleet
What is the status of your area qualifier and the racers interest in a National Championship?
What is the status of Junior Sailing? Names and numbers.
What is the status of charity or special sailing activities (Special Olympics).
What is the contact information for the Class leader in each area?

Combined with information from the national class leadership... I would say the MHC could then make informed judgments and recommendations on just what the MHC and each area might focus on.

The contact list of class leaders in each area would allow the MHC to keep the leadership informed and they would be able to get information out to the rank an file.

The reports would be published (See the Hobie Class assn div reports).

I view this as a reality check... For example, in the matter of qualifiers for the USSA championship... Area C has been struggling for years to find the right formula.... If the other Area's have similar issues, a consensus can form to change and then the push to change up the structure can gain some traction forward. If we just react to the predictable crisis ..... nothing positive seems to ever happen.

JW, thanks for the link to the minutes, but now I'm confused (more than usual). I saw this:

Mission Bay and Ocean Springs are interested in submitting a bid for 2011.

Mission Bay will included 20 Waves in their bid

I thought it was already decided that Vipers were going to be used in the next AC?

Youi mean Vipers for the America's Cup???

Now that IS news!

Well Scuttlebutt is running a poll for what should be the next America's Cup boat, Mono or Multi. I said they should race it on A cats.

LOL, I stand corrected....Open class attended by only OD & Formula classes; N20, A-Cats, and F-16s (2008). One start (grudgingly for some), scored overall and by fleet (best of both worlds).

That request sounds more like a census than an "area director's report", but I think that information would be a good idea.

I'm sure it's based on two very crucial points:
- every regatta submit their results to USS
- some poor volunteer (or area person) compile all the data. This mght work if there were some common technology used (spreadsheet, etc)to facilitate

What would be the purpose of this data? Designing future regattas? Area 'marketing' and regatta promotion?

Yes.

I'm trying to discover why there is so little support for Alter Cup.

I'm amazed that we don't have 100+ boats for Area D south!

If you don't buy into the competition it's still a great excuse to go to the beach! Spectatin' is THE great American past time!

My wife and I just drove up to Daytona for Gilligan's. I figured the surf would be too high for me so I left the boat home, paid my registration just as a donation (team "Honda on the Beach" was not scored however), and attended the fish fry. Well, there were more people at the party than there were on the water and everyone had a good time! The point is my wife and I had perfectly nice beach weekend even without a boat.

btw- dollar for dollar I got better value at the fish fry than at most restaurants! Murph and his crew are serious about fish!