Hi John ,
Great that you can invoke such great responces , we need more like you in the sport .
If any attempt to understand the sport with the goal of improving it ,believe some basic facts and consistant truths must be recognized , once recognized these can act as the foundations to build the sport and better future events on ,
--or the present course as option groups can choose to continue to segment into smaller seperatist groups that alienate one another and slowly decrease the numbers active in the sport as a whole .
In putting the giant puzzle of all the many pieces and segments of the sport together in N A ,--with the goal of larger partisipation at all events ,--the one main factor in the couple decades I,ve been around has always been that Hobie has about 70 percent of the total market as we see again shown by the turnout at the mega event . The other 30 % is divided up among all other types and classes . This may have changed somewhat and will continue to , particularly geographically in Mi with CRAM ,--,but being an avid H-18 sailor for a decade myself I understand the advantages of large fleets and good class racing .I was very fortunate through the 80s to have great class racing in Div 10 , and could mix in CRAM races with the option to race most every weekend if desired .
H-centric policies seem to have helped lead to the smaller total numbers in the sport , thus a smaller total market share , and in some areas like MI , the H Division 10 has all but disappeared , somewhat backfiring on this brand centric thinking .Thank goodness and many great catsailors in CRAM that have always held the philosophy of including all types of cats to race together primarily in classes with designated fleet captains in each and sometimes also scored in rated groups when suffecient class numbers were not present.
Most still purchase a H for that reason ,-great class racing in many geographic areas. The comments from David ,-who as you know is one of the best catsailors and all around good guys you could ever hope to meet and is very active in the N C area promoting races ,--echoes the sentiments of many H sailors .
Most actually contact one another , or seek a roll call of cats in their class to insure they will be racing in a class before considering attending any event as opposed to racing by themselves against very dis similar lengths and types of cat designs in a P rated group start .
Again many are alienated by this type of rated handicap racing and aviod it ,-the overwhelming preference is class racing -there are simply too many flaws and faults--as listed previously in others posts in any type of rated racing .
Basing an event with qualifiers in handicap racing then switching to one design seems perplexing , though am glad that it is recognized that class racing is a truer form and appropriate for championship calibur events .
So how do reasonable inteligent catsailors without brand investment break down the barriers , but retain the good foundations of class racing to promote the sport ?
Some believe it is by promoting P rated racing ,--but would again point to facts percentages and prevailing history . It has never worked .
I,m very encouraged by current events in CRAM evolving ,
There will be F-18 Tigers racing along with several N-F-18s in the 03 season .
Good news in the H P F-16 Class with Bimare providing a new 16 similar to the 18 ,geared towards the single hander -with spin weighing approx, 220 ,this is a great class .
--The 18 HT Formula Class has of course gotten a great just start ,--we will be racing them at the 03 Alter Cup event and in the Worrell 1000 ,-with numerous other great 18 hts available soon this class also looks very promising .
We have hammered out good basic rules for a N A Formula 20 class which we hope follows suit , having a great many excellent existing designs to modify with spin into or new F-20 specific designs available .
Along with several great existing One design classes ,-
A-Class --Tornados ,--H-16s ,-and other good classes ,---
Should not this be the foundations we support and build on providing catsailors with good class racing .?
With the intent of building on this time proven larger foundation of class racing ,--
Maybe a better form of year end race that would include and help unite all cat sailors would be allowing each sail club and recognized catsailing group across the country based on membership numbers to send representatives -one or more teams from their respective sail club to represent them , held on one of the formula classes or popular one design classes similarly alternating each year ,allowing all to bring that type of boat along with a number of charters for those traveling longer distances .Charters could be arranged within individual sailing clubs as well.
It would certainly draw in larger broader interest and partisipation , and yes ,-antisipating responce ,--would be very pleased to help organize it with others interested .
thanks again John ,
will really miss your countdowns this May ,
but if you ever get the notion to be a wild and crazy guy for two weeks in May , currently seeking a good lightweight crew for the W-1000 ,---though all need to work up to that one , it gets a little too wild and crazy at times , but what a great event for the sport ,like so many , I love it
Sail safe
have fun
Carl Roberts
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