My tenureship as F16 class chairman ends in exactly 3 days (on 1st of may), so my name to this listing doesn't count for much. I'm now only commenting as an adviser. But I do feel that any request written to the US sailing handicap committee should be the perogative of the local US class association (which is being founded as we speak, right ?) and not so much an international class issue. So you US sailors say is final in this I say.

From my own Netherlands perspective and Texel handicap system I feel that Dutch sailors will stay at their current F16 ratings which are very close to the F18 anyway. I feel that I should first investigate the new Texel 2006 system more thoroughly before building my case for any adjustment.

Good luck and please keep us all updated.

Wouter