Gary,

Thanks alot for those comments.

This is working out exactly as was planned using mathematical and physical models.

Perfect equality to the A's (as we nearly have with F18's) is a utopia, but this really sounds that we kept it close enought to make it fun. I'm especially happy that the increase in performance upwind with increasing winds counteracts the diminishing returns of the spi in harsher conditions. It was the best we could do considering the limits the doublehanded version put on the overall F16 box rule setup.

This sort of takes care of the last open issue we had. It seems the engineers did their job right back in 2001 and 2002.

When I combined your experiences with my own in 2004 and those of the Asias as well as others, then a picture is becoming very clear that makes me personally very happy. I always valued the versatility of the F16 in the way of 1-up and 2-up sailing as the most important. I'm actually quite convinced now that we've done the right thing and made it work out on the water as well. Within limits of course as some difference will always remain. But it is close enough to make most (local) racing on first in wins fun and fair.

So take it from me that you make a certain guy more than a little happy with your race reports.

Wouter