I would argue it's the Corinthians who get pissed when pro's show up with -free- equipment. We could all go a whole lot faster on a brand new boat with brand new sails and a brand new harness, to say nothing of being able to sail with a guy who does it for a living. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Still, I would prefer to be able to race with pro's when it comes to this sport, and by that I mean, against pro's. I know there is no way I will beat them but as long as they are willing to put on a free clinic before/after/during a regatta, and explain some of the finer points to us weekend warriors, I'm all for it.

And if you ever get a lucky shift and beat Randy to A mark, well, you will have bragging rigths for at least a week or two! I like having them at the regattas so I can ask questions, as long as they are willing to answer, I'm all for it. If instead they want to be A-holes about it, then I think I might -accidently- drive my Inter 20 right into them...:o That Karma thing. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

But that brings up another question, Who's a Pro? Does owning a catamaran dealership make a guy a Pro? Does building cats for a living make you a Pro? How about sail makers, are they Pro's? Are they only Pro's when they are being paid to test sails and maybe given new boats to use as a test platform?

I think not, for our discussions. On the other hand, if a guy is PAID to race the boat, not build it, etc. then he is a "Pro" in my book. Or, if he was once paid to race, and was good at it, he's a Pro. Like racing a weekend buoy race against Russel Couts, or something like that, vs. racing against Kirk Newkirk, who is not paid to sail but sells boats.

Still, I would rather the Pro's came to our local races as it improves the quality of the competion, usually. As far as a Pro racing in the "Corinthian" Alter Cup??? I don't know that that has ever been brought up.

About the attached photo; my company did pay for the stickers and paint on the spinnaker only. I was hoping to get them to pay for a new set of sails for the next year, but they went bankrupt instead, I never got a dime out of them for sails or equipment... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />