Mike,
The thing to keep in mind is that unlike the independent Tornado Class... the N17 class is wholely owned by ISAF and Nacra. The T class Sailors had a set of Seperate Championship Rules which allowed for two races per day with 10 in the series (If memory serves). The length of the race was guaged to the number of starters with the goal of spreading the sailors out on the course so that sailing skill determined the order. The number of races per day were set at two for worlds type events and were set to minimize the impact of a breakdown. (aka bad luck) eg you could eat a throwout and still do well. The story was that it was tougher to win the worlds then the Olympic Gold.

The Olympic rules were always set by ISAF who limit the regatta to 18 slots and ISAF changed the championship rules as they wanted... eg for china... there were no wind mimimums which the class used instead of weight mins to maintain a fair playing field.. Today, ISAF has taken control of the world regatta circuit and created the world cup (gold cup... whatever) circuit with the stated goal of restricting the fleet and trying to focus on fewer athletes for the sports marketing. They also control the N17 class. So.. they run the show. They argue that more races of shorter duration give you more finishes and supposedly more media interest as the final race which is scored double points makes the winner very much in doubt. It's just a different game. In my opinion... they have increased the Luck factor in getting a winner.... and from their perspective.. that is OK because it will sell.

What is different for the N17s is that ISAF calls the shots.. not the sailors.... and PRO's now answer to ISAF. PU would not fit will in this brave new world.