I actually reall prefer the Texel rating system for the reason that they are million times easier to contact and talk with. They will consider any request you put to them. And of course Texel has come some way to correcting the singlehander ratings by introducing the "light winds" and "high winds" rating modifications in 2005. Problem overhere in NL is just that the Race committees simply decided to not use this more fair set of rating numbers. I feel that with respect to texel it is not so much a problem of the rating system anymore but rather of the way the event organisors have decided to use it.

With respect to the tweaking a boat to a favourable handicap number. well I think this is selfdefeating activity. Will work under one handicap rule set and totally not under another. It will actually hamper the international growth of a class. The very thing the Spitfire class is experiencing right now. Great in UK and Nothern France but virtually non-existant outside of those two area's.

I believe a class should much rather try to race, ehhh raise, the standard and their handicap then try to lower it. It is also much better for the spirit inside the class. A "can-do" mentallity inside a class seems to make everybody sail and work harder and this translates into international growth and a more enjoyable class.

With respect to SCHRS, we'll I gave it my best shot and I won't make it a secret that 1.01 is the correct rating for the F16's over 1.02. We solo sailors should contact our RC's and explain the situation to them, I feel that with a good explaination you will get alot further then by negociating with the SCHRS handicap committee. Apart from that I'll rest my case.

Wouter