Yes - which is why religion shouldn't be part of the discussion. It's best to keep the topic completely off the table because the entire issue becomes highly politicized no matter which way it goes after that.

fine then some one tell me can open include mixed but mixed can not include open

Oman sail? They are throwing quite a lot of money on the table to hire teams at the highest levels of the sport as well as funding a sailing school. They are still far from qualifying for the Olympics however, but anything is possible in 4 years when you throw money at it... Having them building an AC boat is more likely IMHO as they can hire the team internationally with a couple of token Omanis on board. I expect to hear about Loïc Peyron AC plans soon and I'm not sure he is going to helm Alinghi this time

Yeah, we already have a political thread, let's start a religious thread! (Kidding!!)

BTW, I'm a Pagan, what are you, big stone face boy? ;^)

As Mischa and Carrie sail over top all y'all...

That is the stupidest argument that I've ever heard on this board (other than in the Drill Baby thread).

I'm glad you looked into it, Macca - while true that two years ago, YA supported the 5/5 approach (as did the US and a number of other countries), just about all of those deferred submissions have been withdrawn. My point is, do you know what YA is supporting next week?

It is essential to understand that you can dislike process and politics, yet still work effectively without losing your soul. You might not like that events are determined before equipment, but that is how it is done. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that equipment is a fractious topic that divides us, but a much lower hurdle than the event since nearly all cat sailors who feel an event is important are united in that sentiment. Unfortunately, we see those familiar cracks before we have even succeeded at regaining the event.

Keep in mind that, no matter what is selected as equipment, there will be factions that celebrate it and factions that vilify; inevitable. To the viewing public, there is virtually no distinction drawn between a race of 16-foot spinnaker boats and 20-foot spinnaker boats. If we get the medal, I anticipate an evaluation event where many cats will vie for the position - it isn't required to even be a currently existing design or class.

If I sound frustrated, you can bet I am. I miss the days of "any multihull." I knew they would end, just not so soon. Regardless, you have a few days left to make your voice heard, though by and large, the delegations have been working toward their positions for far longer than there has been discussion here. I am in an elected position. US sailors gave me a task and over a long period of consultation as positions evolved, I feel good about our chances to achieve a goal - a multihull event in 2016. As ever, if you are a member of US SAILING or a member of a fleet or club that is a member of the Multihull Council, you can help steer the ship by making your desires known. Contact your Area Rep or class officers. One good outcome from this sort of dissension is the possibility of more oars in the water.

John, I looked into it because I will be in Athens.... And I believe that we as multihull sailors should still pursue the correct solution for sailing, not the PC solution to satisfy the old guard...

And for sure the public will see the difference between a 16ft class and a 20ft class!! The 16ft mixed class will consist of 2 very small people (max crew weight of 120kg) so I expect pygmies and anorexics to do well.... And the public will see that!!! besides whatever the public sees, its important to do the right thing for sailing, and for sure a class of midgets is not in the best interest of our sport.

So if there is opposition to a 20ft boat (unfounded based on recent mixed crew performances in 20ft boats) then we will have an 18ft boat selected.... pure genius! and total screwup for the F18 class. Thanks ISAF...

None of the possible equipment is ruled out under the proposed event. Midgets? Insensitive and incorrect. The best F16 teams in the US are F18 teams in the 150kg range. But again, you're caught up in the equipment - classic cart before horse.

i'm not caught up the equipment side of things beyond what I can foresee being issues with the muted event details.

And there is a reason the best current F16 teams are F18 teams, but I won't go into that for fear of yet another F16 attack

But seriously, if such a class was selected for the games you would see optimum crew weights drop to the 120kg level. As soon as top level teams get on the boats we will see that transition occur and then we will be stuck with an event for vertically challenged, little people and other not large people...

For me the big issue is the event, why the hell do we as multihull sailors have to be forced into a mixed discipline whilst the rest of the events maintain their gender status?

Just keep pushing that nonsense Mac !

Wouter

You do realize who you're talking to here, don't you? He's like a founding member of Team Short.

"Attack?" Not from me! If you can recruit a world class 120 kg team for the F16 please do so, and the sooner the better.

But Matt, you know that I have no Olympic aspirations and further I am quite capable of disconnecting my personal preferences from the issue. I wish everyone could.

I have seen every 120kg team regret their decision to go light on every 16-foot spin boat except the Hobie 16. First to de-power loses. It takes 140-150kg to make the high-aspect and grunty main/spin combo work.

"140-150"

+1

And the 49er guys thought the same when the class started.... now look at the crew weight trends since the class' inception and now.

Same for Laser/Laser radial (once they became olympic)

I wouldn't know about 49ers and Lasers. Like I said, if you can recruit a 120 kg team please do.

There is one already, and very successful at that.

Won class at Carnac etc.

Only 119kg though

Oh, and its 2 girls so therefore not eligible for the mixed multihull event

I've nothing against girls! If they can sail the boat good for them.

I consider that to be a strong point of the F16, that can be handled by a women's team.

Its perfect for a womens team, and not so perfect for a mixed team...Thats my point!

Why not so perfect for a mixed team? Weights?