"If enough F16 were to compete in this event, im in. "
Robi, if they allowed F16, I`d be willing to crew, especially if it`s the whole 1000.
Suggest F16 start 20min. ahead of F18, F18 start 20 min. ahead of F20, would bring the fleet closer together at finish, just a thought.
The F20 fleet could still be the glory boys, and would most likely finish first anyway.
Overall winner could still be the first F20, just to keep scoring simple, no handicaps, just score each fleet separately on first-in-wins basis. If there`s a class of anything (ie I-20 / Tornado / Blade), have class winners too. I know it might water down the OD concept a bit, and having multiple winners might confuse the spectators, but not if you explain the concept to them that similar performance boats are grouped in classes - even I understand it.
It makes more sense than golf, and people watch that on TV!
I don`t see the need for any additional support crew other than additional rescue facilities / spotters on the beach, which you`d need anyway if the I-20 fleet miraculously doubled next year anyway (unless the organiser`s intention is to keep it small so it`s easier to manage, which I`d fully understand.)
It depends on the desirable outcome - a 10 boat fleet that attracts a few spectators, or an 40-50 boat fleet that should have a greater chance of getting higher media attention and a higher chance of future growth.
Even as a keen catsailor, I never checked in on the event web-site once this year as the event lacked variation in teams (all from US I think ?), only 2 open-class boats. Not the organiser`s fault at all, in fact they allowed other classes but these never pitched, so perhaps I`m wrong altogether. Perhaps opening up the event to many classes will still only attract 10-12 I-20`s, but then maybe it`s worth a try.
Any decision by the organisers on which class/ classes would have to be made public straight after the end of this years event to give wanna-be`s a year to plan their attempt, even more so for the international teams.
Steve
