My a$$ it's not about strength! Yes you have to be smart and move efficiently but you know raw power plays a major role in the heavy lifting that happens on the front of these spin enabled boats.
I'll still disagree somewhat on this point. It is physical?, yes, but "too hard" for a women? Doubt it. I'm not in very good shape, and aside from everyone using lines the diameter of fishing leader which tore up my hands I'd say that these 18s and 16s are no harder than your average 420, sailed by plenty of women.
The only real "heavy lifting" I had to deal with was when I didn't time things right - like the spin douse into a snuffer bag a bit too small, or trying to pull a board with pressure on it.
When it gets down to brass tacks it will be boys on the front girls on the back in the mixed multi. So as Open Multi is code for "Mens" mixed multi will be code for "female skippers only".
I agree. I'd think you want the most movable ballast you can manage, which puts the boys up front since the driver's usually limited in their movement.
All this being said, what do you feel is holding women back from participating in this sport?
Someone posted earlier about having a "minimum one female" on board, which opens up the teams to female or male/female pairs. I think I like that concept slightly more than "mixed only" designation only because it allows slightly more flexibility in team selection.
