A well written point of view from Bob fisher, a regular contributor to Sail-World. It is good to see that many people are still getting their views on this issue published and out in front of the sailing community.
http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Why-kill-the-cat?/48058

These are definitely the best pix from China I have seen. And almost the only ones. I never could catch even one cat race video live. Is there a dark purpose here? Perhaps the Olympic authorities did not WANT anybody to see these exciting races and pix?

The best event we have left is the Alter Cup. If U.S. Sailing does not expand the competition at this event, I will not rejoin.

Expand the competition in what way?

Let me in!
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Just kidding.

But wouldn't it be great if some deep pocket (they don't exist, I know, but go with it) manufacturer would put up 20-30 brand new boats, so there wouldn't have to be the constant stopping to swap boats, and just run about 20 races over a long weekend or M-F or something, then sell the boats after, all at a tidy profit of course.

Hey, it's my dream, let me sleep!

I know, I know, it won't ever happen because no manufacturer is going to pony up that many boats, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to sell them all after the event...

While we are on Fantasy Island... we get to keep the boats after the event just because it's the AC, and all expenses are paid and of course the venue will be a clothing optional beach.

Dingram for President!

It's not too late to write him in!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You know Hobie does this for the 16 Worlds already?

Hobie 16 Worlds Fiji

I was lucky enough to have an Argentinean cable sports channel available. They covered the entire medal race because Santi Lange was fighting for a medal - and got a bronze one.

The wind was certainly stronger than 12 kts. Conditions were similar to those where all 49ers flipped or broke, so I guess the wind was almost 20 kts. Great coverage with relevant or good comments from the Argentinean reporter following on a RIB, probably with the team coach nearby. According to Sailing Anarchy, the Stars afterward were an insult to the audience. We should use those tapes for political marketing, if available.

Ncik, Yes, I was aware of that, so why don't they do it with 30 new Tigers for the Alter Cup?

I believe the cat has been edged out because of it popularity. Mono is the dying class and remember, it is always darkest before the dawn. The Olympics leave themselves in danger of being outdated and relegated to "old style" sailing.
One does well to remember that the "freestyle" swim event did not exist in the earlier Olympics of last century because it had not been invented yet.
Surely now the latest style invented is the premier swim event.
No multis in the Olympics......this will become a documentary of corruption and back room shenanigans.

Because the sales discount (they are "used" boats after the event) is built into the budget for the event.

A Tiger goes for about $17K now. A 20% sales discount would be $3,400 per boat. Times 30 is well over $100,000. When the Alter Cup can afford those numbers, Hobie Cat will provide the boats.

BTW, Hobie Cat did provide Tigers (twice) for the Alter Cup.

Shoot for the year the US hosts the F18 worlds..

Hobie can provide new boats for the Alter. Charter them out for the worlds to cover much of the depreciation and then sell them at the "discounted rate".

That's exactly what was done for the 2005 Tiger Worlds / 2005 Alter Cup.

Sweet, so Matt, do you think you can talk them into doing it again with the New Tiger?

How about the new F-18 that is coming soon.That would be a great way to promote the new boat.

As someone that has sold quite a few chartered boats at both Hobie Nationals and Worlds it would be helpful if people stopped spreading the(false) rumor that, "Once it's been sailed for a week in that event it's got about two years of use on it." I hear that one every time I try to sell a chartered boat that's in basically brand new condition.

I've bought Tigers and H16's and chartered them out myself and it usually doesn't work out financially--at least for the dealers.

Jeremy's right, both about the stoopit rumor regarding chartered boats and about the financial aftermath. In the case of the Alter Cup, the event has survived due to two things; the dedication of volunteers and the staggeringly generous support of manufacturers and dealers. The Alter Cup is NOT a money-making prospect for the industry; the sailors are the sole beneficiaries - every year, 10 new boats are pumped into the fleet at a very reasonable price. I find that the week-long shake-down by top sailors and the attendant close attention from a factory-designated representative (your friendly beach captian) delivers a boat to a new owner in race-ready condition. For many years, buyers were waiting at the top of the ramp to take possesion after the last race of the series. Things have slowed a bit in the last couple of years, which has emphasized what a fantastic investment Hobie Cat USA, Performance Catamarans, Mystere, Vectorworks Marine, and Fun in the Sun (US distributer for AHPC) have made in supporting catamaran racing in the US.

It is great to suggest that Hobie throw a double handful of boats at an event like the Alter Cup - but the math just doesn't add up. We've been lucky and fortunate in postponing the inevitable truth that the Alter Cup may have to finally change in a fundamental way that many may not like.

[/hijack]

what is the boat for 2009 Alter Cup?

spin equipped getaways