Hmmm. Point taken - It seems when any sport reaches that level the rules change to suit the competitors. My only concern about using production boats or making it a one-class event is that it removes the technology aspect (Look at AC where half the interest is developed by technological advancements within strict rules, mostly occurring under cover - everyone wants to know what`s under the skirts - and I`m not referring to Scotsmen in kilts here !)
Also, what differentiates the new format for LAC from a Jav2 World champs, the fact that it`s match-racing ? I believe it will get very little recognition outside of those who are already interested in beach-cat racing like ourselves.
To make the event stand out as the pinnacle of cat-sailing, it needs to be MORE exciting, MORE interesting, and MORE exclusive than most average beach-cat regattas.
Most keelboat sailors are keen followers of the real AC, even though they know it`s very unlikely they will ever participate. This brings me back to my original post - The aspect of which country can produce & race the fastest cat within a set of rules that are open enough for design progress & tight enough to control costs within reasonable limits - I`m not referring to costs that the average cat sailor can relate to, but that a syndicate could fund. (This regatta should NOT cater for the average cat-sailor, only the best from each country need apply.)
Perhaps one of the class rules could be a maximum cost which might prevent the richest country from winning.
Perhaps F18HT is the right path, but open to all boats which qualify under the class rules, not one chosen manufacturer. I believe this is the way they are approaching it, but using the Jav2 just to get it started ?
Personally I`d rather watch 60ft cats with full wing rigs & 10 guys out on the wire, but I suppose the costs would be ridiculous. having said that, it may be the route to go to elevate the event to America`s Cup status, something I believe difficult to acchieve on beach-cats. Maybe that`s why there was not enough public interest in LAC - the boats & teams are not big enough ? It`s what made "The Race" such a well-publicised event - the fact that they were bigger & faster than anything that came before them.
All points are my humble opinion based on what I know, which may not be enough to substantiate what I`ve written (which makes it possible for you to disagree without offending me !)

Cheers
Steve