The VYC Yardstick is measured from average results for a class over many regattas. With classes such as the A Class, F-18s and Tornadoes the top of the fleet are world champions and full time professional sailors. Those at the back end of these fleets if racing in another ‘less professional’ class would be showing good results in the other classes. The fact is that the average skill level in classes such as the A Class, F18 and Tornado are much higher .
Hi Stephen,
I don't agree with you on the above. From my experience, the couple of Pro sailors at the front are better but the average skill level in the fleets is not so different.
As for the back of those fleets showing good results in other classes, at Forster the Mossies where beating some Tornado's around the course and at other regattas have beaten the back of the F18 fleet around the course. So I would have to say your statement does not hold true through out the fleets you list as top quality.
I have changed classes many times over my 40 years of sailing, in both Internatinal and Australian classes mono's and cats and have heard statements like yours many times about classes other than those the sailor is in. From my experience the standard at the front of most classes is high, the main difference is the number of sailors in the class dictates the number of good sailors at the front, but the average sailing standard is similar across the fleet.
Regards Gary.
