Here in the Netherlands a few sailors got together and restarted the official youth program. Actually Misha Heemskerk is coaching the youngster and he was a Olympic Tornado campaigner for the 2004 olympics. Before Mitch and Herby won teh Dutch slot for that event. I think there are 4 youth teams in training right now. They are using the Hobie 16 with spinnaker. Somewhat of a sad point is that they make up the bulk of H16's at some of the bigger events here in NL. FOr some reason H16's are not entered into these events with the same numbers as in the past. There are actually more active Dart 18 sailors overhere then H16 sailors. And this does indeed exclude the recreational tour sailors who only enter a regatta at their home club. I think these kids are getting great training by Misha and the other volunteers but the choice for H16 as the boat doesn't seem really attractive from a fleet racing or cost point of view. At least not in the area of NL. The plain H16 don't really want them on their course.

By the way. Misha had a great one-line after finishing up teh westland cup that was pretty much blown away by big wind. None of the youth sailors pulled a kite, while all other racers on F18's and sorts did. Simply because sailing with a kite in big weather makes the F18's and sorts better behaved. Anyway, the youths were eyeballing eachother on the race course and as none of them pulled a kite first no crew did. So Misha said "to the gethering crowd afterwards (after welcoming all youth crews onto the podium) : "Three guesses what will be on the training program tomorrow, my little trainees !? How, to pull a spinnaker. It was actually pretty comical at the time, but he has a point. If you want to win then you must be the crew how goes for it and not wait to see what the others are all doing.

I took a 65 kg 20 year old girl (Dart 18) on my Formula 16 during these westland cup races and she was completely sold on the concept. Spinnaker loads to high, not for that Girl. If anybody was out of breath it was me.

So like Scooby says we should give the youth some more credit. They can handle these boats.



Wouter