If it's truly talent, not technology, and stopping emphasis on the fastest boats, then why add a spinnaker to the Hobie-16? Takes away from the simple design... Seems to me there's another message there.

From what I see, one of the biggest components of the Open Class tends to be people new to the sport. They found a used boat for an affordable price and are looking to see if they like these things. They'll move up if they do. They'll move on if they don't. Most I know in this category wouldn't even give it a shot if the outlay was too high or the club too exclusive. You know, high-tech boats like Prindle-16s and 18s, Hobie-18s, NACRA 5.2s and the like.