Rhodysail, I had asked Art Stevens some additional questions about the youth regatta situation, and here is one of his answers that is somewhat pertinent to your post:

Art Stevens said: "We asked to be included in the National Youth Regatta. The youth championship committee and youth strategic planning committee refused to hear us. We chose to ask the BOD (Board of Directors) for their support. They voted us down 17-13 . Closest vote I have ever seen at a US SAILING meeting. But we made many new friends during debate and they came to our aide and convinced the chair to work something out with us. 24 hours later we have US SAILING official status as the 'US SAILING Youth Hoyt/Jolley Cup for Multihull Sailors.' No debate and no objections. Quite a turn around wouldn't you say?"



And also, additional note after I talked to Debbie Schaefer, Multihull Council Secretary. She says Portugal is definitely not going to have a multihull class for the ISAF Youth Worlds in 2003.