And the racing closer and more consistent (and exciting) with one design. It's a different matter entirely though - if it's run what you brung, that's a different event than what we're talking about today.

First, I'm thankful that the N20 has not been turned away from this event and, as a sailor who hopes to continue to sail the 20 for a while, I hope it continues to be supported in the Tybee 500 for at least a few more years. The 20 has been the reason the Tybee has survived to this point.

I'm really excited that the F18's are finally reaching a critical mass of participation - it just took some of the right people to say the right things to get the motivation working. I'm certain that it will continue to grow from here and hopefully become one of the premier F18 distance racing events in the world making a critical extension in the life of the Tybee500...there's hardly another stretch of coastline in the world as friendly as the eastern coast of Florida and it's a fantastic place for an all-out distance race.

Handicap racing is fine for a local race weekend or perhaps an event that was founded under that premise (like the Texel). However, a race of this magnitude that requires so much dedication including a substantial investment on part of every team should hold itself to a higher standard than handicap racing if it can do so...especially if the mass of one design boats is large enough to support itself. At the risk of sounding standoffish - I'm really not interested in handicap racing at this level. I wouldn't expect handicap racing at a manufacturer's National or North American championship either.

Due to beach and hotel support limitations, the race can only support a max number of boats (25 or 30?) so there's no point in making it a handicap free-for-all (i.e. Texel). There are also safety issues with boats of vastly different speed potentials doing such a race. If it were the only way to make the race survive or even make it attractive to sponsors, then fine, I would accept the need to race under handicap or find something else to do with my time but I would hopefully know that before the commitment is made.

To put it simply, I wish for the combined amount of energy, time, practice, experience, and resources that every person on our team selflessly devotes to this race be judged and rated in as fair manner possible when we slide onto the beach each night...and handicap ain't it.