uhh... you do realize that if you solve the F18 problem... you also solve the WAVE split... Hobie regattas simply host Wave Formula regattas.... (when they can find a critical mass of Wave Racers to attend)
This regatta issue is EASY!
Solve it quickly so you can figure out how a WAVE racing class attracts new sailors... Often claimed... rarely shown to be a self actualizing process.
Because Hobie and the Hobie class are in a conundrum. They have a racing model to maintain, admirably and rightfully so for the benefit of the new sailors, a very tightly controlled and extremely slowly evolving one design racing class.
Their competition (and to some extent, some parts of their own company) do not put as much effort into keeping things the same but they evolve their boat designs and boat offerings much faster. This appeals to the sailor looking for something "newer" or "faster".
The problem is that these two philosophies don't mix well when the available sailor base is limited. It fractures both. The fracture directly impacts the Hobie classes more directly in the short term (sailors jumping to other classes) and the other manufacturers long term (as the influx of new sailors).
