When I'm the lead boat, I could get along just fine without the options the gates provide

When I am NOT the lead boat, I LOVE Gates ! !

Ask a good PRO why they have gone to downwind finishes and the answer will probably be "there are more passing lanes when sailing downwind"

Most changes in course management over the past 20 years have been geared towards keeping the races from being "parades"

Using gates during small local regatta's is good because if gives everyone practice actually using the tactical options that having a gate provides.

One thing PRO's should keep in mind is that longer courses tend to favor the "more experienced" sailors.

A longer course gives more experienced sailor the opportunity to grind his way back to the top if he makes a mistake early.

In my opinion, when running local regatta's more short races is better than a few longer races.

As an experienced sailor, I dislike short "drag races", because I know that even if I blow it at the start or make a bad call on the first leg, I can usually "reel in" the fleet and recover if the race is long enough.

During small local events, running the shorter courses, "drag races" if you will, and gives everyone plenty of practice with starts, rounding's and finishes, AND it gives the newer sailors a chance to take advantage of a lucky break and actually bag a good finish.

Just some random thoughts before I fly out of cold snowy Denver for a couple of weeks in the BVI's
Hows that for a shameless brag.

Stephen