The USSA Multihull Championship has participation issues!

The Area Qualifier is simply not supported by the racing fleets in several of the USSA Area Regions in the country.

Since, this is one of the major benefits of USSA membership and if it's seemingly not wanted... perhaps we should put the money to something else. Before that happens. I propose some changes.

The AREA Qaulifier event is usally an additional event in the racing season and evidently the majority of racers simply don't want to compete in this regatta. If their time is limited... they choose their one design event rather then the Alter Qaulifier.

If we think the Alter Champiohship and qualifiers are important to the sport we need to add value to the Area Qualfier.

I propose that each national racing class urge or insist that the regional class include the championship event into the racing season by counting it towards their high point or national ranking.

For example in Area C. There are 3 active Hobie cirucits for 16, 17, and 18s... plus an active A class racing ciruit and finally a now very small open class fleet of primarily F16's.

If the natinoal class asked each regional fleet to participate in the area qualifier and allow them/ order them to use their one design finish position as points towards the class season high point or ranking .. the Alter qualifier event would have meaning to more of the regions sailors.

The one design classes would not have the incentive to schedule their own OD regatta and make the Alter qualifier... an extra event.

The effect would be to make the one start Alter Qualifier essentially a regional champinoship with the winners earning a slot in the Alter championship...

And the regatta would be important to any fleet racer since it would be just like any other highpoints regatta. If more induement is needed... bonus points can be added.

The region's racing schedule would not be oversheduled resulting in small fleets and financial strains on the host clubs.

Thoughts?