Great.... err..

While the F18 sailor is saying.. great! There is a flip side to this coin.

Is this a zero sum game... or worse... a situation which leads to loss of participation.

What about the sailors who can't or don't want to change their rides? Is the rest of the racing scene healthy or shrinking?

What is the status of the H20 fleet?
The I20 Fleet? the N6.0 fleets? How are the classic Hobie fleets 16, 17 and 18 doing?

The big picture question: Is the turnout going up or down with the rise of a dominant class?

Do racers in classes that have lost members to the F18's feel that its still worth while coming to regattas with 2 or three boats on the line or do they cut back their attendance one or two events a year and finally loose interest?

Do the left overs or (new members of the dead boat society) find enough competition in the open class to maintain their interest in racing?

What's a critical mass of sailors in a class (open or one design/formula) that is sustainable?

Is there a way to address these questions with how we manage our racing?

Can we learn anything from the EU and Down Under about how to manage our events?

Food for thought

Take Care
Mark