Hi Mike -



Thanks for the note - I wondered if other Area Reps would speak up once the discussion got going.



I recognize that Area D is not the only large area - its not even the second or third largest. I only was discussing Area D 'cause that's the one I live in. Because we both are responsible for a fair and open qualifying event, we face some of the same issues. As far as the current lines between areas, the Multihulls have already strayed from the US Sailing boundaries for other reasons. I don't see why we couldn't continue to draw them with respect to Multis rather than the traditional Mono lines that are grounded by specific YCs. We agree that any discourse on the issue must disregard specific sailors' talents. I'm not trying to rock the boat just to get wet - I've gotten wet enough recently. My ultimate hope is to increase participation in area events. The number of teams at the Alter Cup is a seperate but related issue.



Your assertion that only one or two areas would ever win the event if the ten-team format is used is a line of thinking that I want to avoid. I believe strongly that the problem should be thought through from the direction of "how do we get more folks at the area events" and let the cause and effect evolve, rather than take a conclusion, desirable or otherwise, and work backward from there. I think if we get more people excited about competing at the Area level, the interest in the Cup will take care of itself. I'm not sure that 10 teams is the answer, but that is one suggestion that I'm getting a lot of mail about this week.



Thanks again for offering your perspective - and it was nice to see you last week, even though the wind sucked instead of blew.



John