Sort of agree with you but..

If you look at results on adjusted times from open regattas in recent times you would see the top sailors from the Mozzy fleet, up the front, the mid fleeters around where you would expect and the workers up the back making everyone else look good.

The Guys who do well in mixed fleets are also the guys that are up the front in state and national titles.

You don't have to sail an A, Tornado or F18 to be a good sailor but I do conceed that those with talent and a budget (though not all) might gravitate to those classes. Also, sailing one of these classes doesn't necessarily mean the owner is a good sailor.

Perhaps we should discuss this over a beer sometime...should be a long conversation, possibly without a result, but it would be a great excuse hang around the bar and talk about boats

Cheers