What world do you live in?

Yes it matters more then skill development! The piece of paper is how you get to the next step. It goes on the resume!

the assumption is that if you have the paper... you have "good enough skills" AND the "powers that be" have covered their butt because you have the papers. (The modern day peter principle)

Re sportsmanship... Well that is ALL in the eye of the beholder.. How is sailing sportsmanship any different then basketball sportsmanship in 2013... The Corinthian ethos of sportsmanship is very different then the other games we play and it is now an historical relic.

Opti moms are no different the Football dads ... or Tennis or Golf parents (see parents of Serena and Venus Williams. and see Tiger Woods for how to succeed in country club sports like Sailing)

So, is the world Opti program doing a good job... Depends on your point of view. Todd R is absolutely right... the Opti program is meeting the demand of the parents and sailors.

Matt's upset is that his expectation was not met and the fun factor of his volunteering went to zero.... (now off to our Junior Olympics meeting to run an event for Opti mom's and Hobie 16 parents.. the ying and yang of the sailing world.)