After further consideration.... you are right.

When I see young people sailing a 29er for example their parents got them into the sport either by sailing themselves or providing financial aid and a club membership

The YC is providing the leadership and venue for that 29ner sailor to get started, train, and excell. Without the YC and the subsequent support and direction of the Regional and National Associations, there would be no pathway for this sailor and his family to follow.

My complaint was that USSA Olympic is once again failing to lead and layout a program for a multihull sailor. Multihulls are not part of the development program just spelled out by USSA Olympic.

Luis jolted my memory.... after further consideration..perhaps this result is what we have earned. I am completely wrong about being screwed by USSA Olympic... ... you have to care first and be working towards a solution that is thwarted by USSA before you can vetch about being screwed by their actions.

Luis points out that nobody in the USA stepped forward and committed to the F12 project (little cats for little kids for little money). No club (read no cat sailors within a YC) stepped forward and took on the SL16 fleet offer for junior sailors. The Hobie 16 with chute boat for ISAF youth competition is the red headed step child in USA Hobie fleets and simply not allowed to compete. Meanwhile, the EU is getting 60 junior teams on the water racing with chutes. The US version of a catamaran junior program is to race 16's with your kids as crew at most events and then send them off to the weekend 16 junior NA's. The rest of the world and US fleets thinks that you should push the kid into sailing their own boat (solo or team). The program that we have is what we have. USSA Olympic is simply going to wait and see if it generates junior sailors skilled enough to compete on the world stage. ... They are not going to fund last place finishes!

Ah well...