Mike... I disagree with you on this last point... After they dumped the Tornado and Before the AC changes.. The elite, best in the world, Multi sailors were Bundy, Asby, Booth Ogletree, and the other top 10 Olympic sailors. This was it... Most importantly... there was no place to go... These guys did not get rides on the big monohulls... Their careers were racing the elite small cats. (The ocean racing game is very different).
So.. the Olympics were the ultimate and final level for multi sailors. Now with the AC cup action... All the sailors I mention have moved up... and the elite mulithull game has exploded as other pro's come into the game... Spithill... Hutchinson... etc.
Mixed Multihull Olympic competition will never be the ultimate level. (Expecially since no other competition is mixed) AND the myth that there was something unique about sailing a multi at the top level has been exploded... (Hutch... spithill...etc).
Olympic multihull sailing will not be the pinnacle of our sport... It will be a quirky competition every 4 years and I will applaud the sailors who compete and win.