Gill,
the north sea regatta is the perfect place to showcase the class. The will be lots of f18s and lots of sailors in general. The venue is great and the regatta is extremely well organized. The trophys are some of the coolest ones you'll see as well.

IMO the spitfire should be allowed to compete just make the 10 boat cut off, if not to get more boats on the water. Realistically they are no longer as quick as the modern f16s so there shouldn't be a problem. If a spitfire won the event they would definitely deserve it.

I wish I could go.