Well, the chupacabra (or however was is called) was a big dud at the last olympics so I'm sure if much performance related development is to be found here. Meaning, yes it will be easier to deploy and douce but may still be overall slower then a spi with a slow set and douce. A modern flat asym. spinnaker is a pretty powerful downwind wapon and while sailing 1-up you already have more then enough power without a hooter.

With respect to the reason for having this midgirth rule, that is not at all to prevent development but rather to prevent the F16's from being killed in handicap and other event rules. A hooter is seen by measurement handicap systems (Texel, Schrs) as an oversized jib and rated accordingly.

It is simply no fun racing F18's in open class events at a rating of 84 to 101. There is simply no way a F16 can outperform a F18 by 20%, not even with the best of hooters. This would have been a promotional problem for the F16 class, among other things and hence the midgirth rule was included.

Personally, I would waver any crew using a hooter in F16 events (not open class racing). I'm convinced these are not faster over a wide range of conditions not even for single handers.

As far as I know an invitation to bring a hooter to an F16 race has been outstanding ever since the subject was brought up in 2002. No-one took up this offer. You can be first Smiths_cat !

Wouter