According to someone who read The Daily Sail, it recently pointed out that the F18 worlds gathered 160 participants, even after the number of competitors per nation was capped.
For instance, it would seem that the UK was only allowed 20 entries, so 30 boats had to compete for the right to participate.
Compare this with:
- 32 participants at the 2009 18 foot skiff "worlds", the JJ Giltnan Cup
- 80 participants at the 2008 49er worlds in Melbourne
- 110 participants at the 2008 Star worlds.
So much for ISAF's assertion that there is no interest in multihulls!