Matt,
I got a sense of sarcasm from your comments. This reminded me of a question that has been bouncing around in my hollow head for years. I've never asked my question because it is going to sound sarcastic and I don't want to come across as sarcastic on this particular question.
Not being a racer, I am clueless about much of the subject matter of many conversations that go on in the catamaran sailing community. But I would assume that the Alter Cup is named after Mr. Hobie Alter (my hero) or one of his descendants. If this is the case, then I ponder the question:
How does the Hobie Alter family or the Hobiecat corporation feel about an annual race, carrying the family name, that uses boats built by competitors?
That seems like it must be quite a slap in the face. But I don't know anything about racing anyhow.
I must admit that I've been sailing a frenchcanadian boat in the areas where Hobie was so successful and Performance Catamarans (Prindle Nacra Inter) is now dominant and I feel pretty disloyal to my countrymen and neighbors. My entire family are Canadians, but that still does not relieve my guilt. I also must admit that I feel like a martyr and a real stooge when I need a part and find it impossible to get what I need from the manufacturer while all my local buddies can have the part they need in one day. I never knew that I could feel such thoughts from my conscience, but now I understand. Gee whisk, I am going off on a tangent here! I digress:
Does anyone want to offer their thoughts on a race named after the founder of one company that is being sailed on another company's boats? Also, how would you relate this situation to the deal where Hobiecat locked all the other brands out of their races?
