Then you and I agree on what we think a pro is.
As I wrote earlier, I dont think pros and amateurs compete on an equal basis. They practice as a living and for a living, while we do it as a pasttime. Time in the boat is the large difference between a pro and an amateur. Time in the boat is a race winner, we know that.
You say they are good for the sport becouse they raise the performance level needed to compete? Raising the quality and performance is a good thing. On the other hand, how many quit racing or never begin becouse they realise they can never get at the top of the game?

I am certainly not a top amateur racer being beat just by the pros, and becouse of it resenting pros. I am thinking about the sport in general and racing small boats specifically.