Mark,

You guys are right on the mark as far as I am concerned. I really like the idea of keeping a rating from climbing upwards but I can't escape the feeling that there should be some sort of exception. However, at the same time, you don't want to make things overly complicated.

Take a look at the JF18HT for instance. Immediately some of the best sailors have participated in the class and the rating has quickly dropped...I dunno...I guess it still shouldn't go back up. I don't think I can really put a finger on my reservations just yet (anyone?).

The more I consider you’re ideas, the more I like the ‘2 year active’ classification. I wonder if it would be possible to gather some of the old rating information and put together some scenarios of today’s ratings if this were in place 8 years ago or so (I might be able to help - would really like too - but work is pretty fanatical at the moment). I think that would actively prevent the rating rockets (except in the case of Rick White’s Hootered wave ) but it would take a long while to take effect – unless it were made retroactive.