The 22 knot sustained max (it was knots, not mph as your post indicates) was used for both the A-cats and Tornados at the recent World Championship at Martha's Vineyard.



Most race committees understand that there is a threshold for FAIR and SAFE racing. Many national and world championship events in both multihulls and monohulls recognize that this threshold is somewhere around 22-25 knots of wind and use this in their racing instructions.



You should remember that you live in an area with warm water and warm consistent trade winds. That gives you an advantage many of us don't have in that you get alot of time sailing in heavy breeze and most of it you could do in a rash guard and shorts. Many championships are held in areas with much colder conditions. This is typically a weighing factor in establishing a safe maximum threshold for the SAFETY of the competitors.



Based on my experience at local, regional, national, and international events it seems that the average weekend warrior cat sailor crews have their hands full in 15-20 knots of breeze.



I think the sustained wind max of 22 knots is a very smart and wise race management rule that looks out for the best interests of the competitors.



Bob Hodges

A-class USA 147