For us... 100 boats is fantastic... those guys were looking at 200.... (assuming Europe is = to their part of Europe).

But, I don't think the number of overseas competitors is the real issue.. Rather it's the representation of the top sailors from overseas participating that matters.

The A class Worlds have been twittering about whether Gasby will be racing or not. Superstars matter! The US class trumpets that two of the top three US Sailors will be racing on US platforms at the upcoming worlds.

The standard pre worlds write up for any class will trumpet the talent and where they come from... broad international support is a big deal!

I would bet that a container each from North and South America would have done the job!

Mike discussed how long your boat is out of action. A winning plan is to ship your boat and then sell it in the region of the worlds. Fly home and get a new boat! If the market and the exchange rate are off... that is a factor.
Dealers who broker this would certainly help the international trade!