Last year's team and this year's team both got the use of the spinnaker kit, free of charge from Hobie Cat. I think that is a great thing.

I guess there continues to be a disagreement between Hobie Europe and Hobie USA about the 16 with a spinnaker. I have raced in the 16 Class before, though not recently. I can't imagine anyone I know in the US Class going for the 'chute. I have seen, however, changes made within a Class that sometimes even the majority didn't like. The 16 with a spinnaker is, like it or not, the ISAF youth boat for a little while longer.

Keep in mind, Matt, that both US SAILING and ISAF view the Youth Worlds as a feeder event to the Olympics. The Tornado will continue to be the Olympic multihull for as far out as I can see. A jib and main multihull for youth does not meet the stated goal of getting kids into the Olympic programs. The funding for the US youth team comes directly out of the Olympic program.

At any rate - I think the Tullo brothers will do well this year, both at the Alter Cup and at the Worlds in Korea. Remember - these boys were accomplished dinghy sailors that thought multihulls looked like fun. They took to it well, and now they own a 16.