Steve,

In response to the first question: Every class doesn't have to be and should not be a development class. When the objective is to determine the 'best sailor', then the class should be strict one design. The only variable should be the cut or draft of the sails to accomodate the normal variation in sailor's weight. The sails should be of identical plan form and area and cloth type/weight but there should be flatter cut sails for lightweight teams and medium cut sails for average weight teams and full cut sails for the big guys. In other classes it has been shown this leads to tighter competition and that is why it is allowed in all Olympic classes except one.

When the objective of a class is to develope a faster boat, then anything goes within the rules for the class, within the box.

I would think that the objective of a pro sail circuit would be to betermine the 'best sailor' for sure without any influence of boat to boat variations; just like the Olympics.

Bill