Hi Mike and Carl
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<br>It seems to me that the pool of racers who want to race triangles with chutes is small and primarily I20's and Tornado's. The N6,0's have not expressed much interest in triangle racing with their chutes. they have a small one design class and going with the chutes would split that up in half. Much the same as the P19's in florida with chutes and non chute starts.. Critical mass is hard to achieve.
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<br>I think that a formula class has to start with the I20 sailors and ask... WILL THEY race formula (assuming for arguments sake NO changes to their rig) or are they committed to one design when they get it. If they poll suggest they are committed to one design when they get it THEN the formula rule will take a different course. If they are interested in racing with a weight correction system of sails or whatever and other designs the debate will take on a different format.
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<br>I think that a formula class must offer something in addition to what you find in a one design class. For instance, weight correction systems. As an I20 sailor... if I don't loose anything and gain an effective weight correction system I would elevate formulae above one design above portsmouth in my internal scheme.
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<br>On the other hand... i sail a tornado.
<br>I think the elite of the tornado fleet will answer No... our national regattas are strictly one design and geared for the Olympic slot. Fleet racers like myself would be very interested in a formulae class racing I20's and other designs.
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<br>So... I would rank the first goal as how to get I 20's into formulae racing. If they are not interested then the discussion would be quite different. My point of view.
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<br>I guess I start the discussion from the political or people side of the fence and not the technological side... (of how do we get to a fair and inclusive rule). If the overwhelming majority of players don't want the product. well we have some thinking to do. ..
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<br>Locking a group in a room for the purpose of creating a formula might not be a winning people strategy.
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<br>Watch what happens to the US Formula 18 startup. Those sailors buying Tigers and F18's or Inter 18's will have to decide.. One design or formulae... I think the siren call of one design supported by Hobie one design racing will win out.
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<br>Somewhat pessimistic
<br>Mark<br><br>