Technology Most of the develpment that we have access to comes from the T class See Macca's examples
Expertise... those guys develop the new techniques... eg Wild thing... the stuff trickles down.
You need heroes or role models... Its a thrill to meet and compete against your country's best in a regatta that you attend.
Kids need to be inspired... the Olympic guys fill that role.
The top guys in your non olympic class have spent lots of time in the Tornado class.
Randy S, Jay G, Lars G, Pete M, Bob H, Pease G, now in A class
Greg and Jaques B, Nigel P, Matt S, F18's and N20's.
They set the standard and force you to raise your game.
Agree with Mark on all of the points above. My motivation to do a 1988 program in Div. II sailboards and then Tornados from 1995 - 1999 was a statement made by Rod Davis (who is now the head Olympic sailing coach for New Zealand and an ACC coach) that you do an Olympic campaign to get REALLY REALLY REALLY good at sailing. If you put the time into it and see progress, this is the main benefit and if you can win the Trials and a medal, well it's icing on the cake.
The Tornado; it's a lovely boat and fantastic class. I hope more upcoming and talented US catamaran sailors will try the class at some point in their sailing careers. They won't regret it.
Bob Hodges
formerly USA 796
