George,
Had we just ran the one class for Open there would have been a howl to high heaven -- the very idea, putting little boats and big boats all in the same class. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Also, folks like to collect awards. In the case of splitting into two classes we were able to give awards to 6 of the nine competitors. Otherwise, we have just had to throw away the awards -- doesn't make much sense.

Some of you have mentioned voting with your feet, but I can honestly say the F16 Class at this point doesn't have much in the way of feet to walk. The class has been a really big disappointment in the USA.., absolutely nothing happening. I cannot recall any regatta in the USA where there ever was the usual minimum of 5 boats that has ever shown.
I was really excited at first about the F16 theory. I went to St. Pete for the Taipan 4.9 Nationals (Not sure how many were there.., about 6 or 7) and thought certainly they would reciprocate and attent the first F16 Nationals held in conjunction with the first F18HT Nationals at Rick's Place in Key Largo.
Well, they didn't show. They don't show up anywhere. Jennifer is the only one you ever see at regattas (My hero) And that "no show" attitude still prevails. Consequently, there is literally no class at all. So, we race in the Open Class.

Geez! And now Wouter wants to be sure we never even get on the trophy stand by lowering our numbers.

Also, on this voting with your feet thing and the A Class, the Tradewinds treated that class extremely well -- assuring that they started first and not with any other class, sailed the long courses, etc. We even experienced a ghost start -- the winds were up close to 20 on the second day and none of the A Cats even started.

Rick