Rolf
The ICCT has been sailed on F18HT's for the last 3 years, this year in Italy, last year in New Orleans and 2 years ago in Newport RI. All 3 won by Lovell/Olgetree.

I asked Steve Clark the windspeed question this winter ("What windspeed can Cogito survive?) and he told me that they had her out in 22knots.

Rolf you are also correct the rigid wing mast generate more lift upwind, (I cant remember the numbers,) so upwind a T would get spanked. Downwind the T would stand a better chance with the spin, so it would be an interesting race. One of the top HT sailers thought he could be Cogito around the course.(never proven or contested)

When Seacliff went looking for a new class to support the ICCT, they wanted some "development", but they also wanted close racing, and they wanted to race every year.

With the C CLass they got lots of developement but the racing wasnt close. And the gaps between races were up to 7 years.

With the HT's they get little or no development and much closer racing and they have managed to hold a race 3 years in a row - and offered prize money and sponsorship. Aside from the Marstrom M18 that showed up in New Orleans, the ICCT has been sailed on Bimare Jav2 F18HT's, supplied by the factory. The only interesting development was the HT that was customized by Peter Johnstone, and even that boat was built using a Stock Bim, with off the shelf Marstrom parts and sailed by Hodges/Oliver in New Orleans. They were beaten by Lovell/Ogletree on a stock Bim. Which goes to show, its not the boat, its the sailor.

Seacliff is still using the Little America's Cup nickname in their press releases.

My personal opinion is that Seacliff needs to decide if it wants close match racing or a development contest. I dont see how you can have both, successfully over time.

Bill