Hi Rick. By trapeziod, I meant, any course that makes you happy, and can safely co-exist within a larger Hobie event on a single racing circle. There was some discussion here earlier in the year about using some modified trapezoids to help manage your desires and maintain safety on the course with Tigers, etc. I’d just be thrilled to see 20 Waves actually show up, we can manage the racing from there.

Also, the sheets aren’t a problem. Sheets have very few restrictions in the IHCA rules (for Waves, they just can't be tapered, and can't contain wire).

Mary, "hidden agenda" was probably not the right phrase, but Rick's reply is basically what I was referring to.

If you don't HAVE to compromise, why did you ask to work together with us to come to HavaMega? Isn't getting everyone together the real goal? Or is it really, let's try to force HCA to adopt IWCA rules?

As you know, the rules regarding sails and tramps are an extremely difficult thing to change. This is just a core factor of what makes the Hobie class what it is. We actually had the momentum to move forward with this for you at the end of 2008 when HCA voted to allow the IWCA equipment at HavaMega. Naturally, there was a ton of resistance initially, but the overwhelming feeling was that we should allow it on a provisional basis to see if it would have a positive impact on the turnout.

Now, you can't realistically expect IHCA to go along with 100% of the changes that you are asking for, at least not overnight. Otherwise, you probably would never have needed to start IWCA.

Especially after the IWCA sailors elected to boycot HavaMega, if you're going to say, change this, change that, but if you don't get it all in right now, we're not coming anyway, I think you know what the expected outcome will be. As I said, there was a lot of momentum at the beginning of the year, but when the rules were changed (by the OA, not the voting members of the HCA), and you CHOSE to stay home, that also sent a message.

If your goal is to work with us, we can probably get a lot of this done (min weight, rudders, possibly the tramps and sails), if nothing else, on a probationary basis. If that is successful (IE, YOU SHOW UP), we can probably get those rule changes to be permanent.

So you ask, what do we (IWCA) gain? That’s exactly the same question being asked in the HCA. No one is interested in changing the core of what makes the Hobie class what it is, if there won’t be some actual turnout for our efforts.

At the end of the day, we’re going to have to compromise (on BOTH sides) for this to be a successful marriage of HCA and IWCA. I don’t think it’s realistic or fair for either side to be militant to the bitter end over this.

Mike