Hobie products have been up for consideration in the past. Typically, they are not accepted due to things like lack of build quality standards (significant boat weight differences etc) and durability. These are very important to the athletes and also to the selection committees. If the H16 is to have fighting shot, it must be tightened up significantly in build quality control and component design. This would create a disparity from the mainstream class boats, raise purchase prices and thus negatively affect one of the biggest advantages of the class..the low price point.

Olympics is not about what "Joe-SixPack" sails...it's about pushing the teams & equipement to the max...teams will exploit rule loop-holes and percieved performance advantages in component differences wherever they can. This is way you need a tightly controlled boat class rule & manufacturing spec. Tornado has struggled with this since the beginning, but the history of the class in the games proves my point about what the teams will do.