"The sheet loads on the Tornado are much much greater than F18, N20, etc. and in order to get and keep the boat in the (narrow) groove requires great strength."

I've sailed both N-20 and a Tornado ,and the T had lighter sheet loads. F-18, I have no idea, but maybe it would be lighter. The mainsheet on the Ts I sailed on ,was always exotic and higher ratio. You musta had a cheap skipper or your ratchets were turned off.
I agree with you on the athlete part though. If brute strength is all that makes athletes then I guess powerlifters are the only true athletes. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White