I don't know Stephen, there never was a competitive race ever sailed by an Alpha Omega 5m when they didn't absolutely "thrash" any and all Hobie 16's over the line, and when the Taipans were in their first three years of racing (with many top sailers in the class as well) and the 5m Alpha's still raced competitive fleets, it was only on the rare occasion that a Taipan would ever cross the line in front of the first Alpha, But sadly that is all in the past “glory days" when numbers of ALL cats were really "up" and “inter class” competition was at it’s highest peak.
We are really looking forward to Forster, BUT, lets be truthful now, you will only be pleased to see us if your view of the F14 is from looking at them from “some where over your transoms”! If you have to look forward to catch a glimpse of them, will we have “worn out our welcome”?? (He, He, He).
(Personally – and it is just a personal opinion – I think that the Taipans are missing a golden opportunity by not “upgrading” their specs to full F16 as a class. It would achieve the greatest outcome with the minimum disruption, and breathe new life into the class that would see them at the “forefront” for many more years to come).