JW talks about multi's to GJ, feast your eyes:

http://www.ussailing.org/video/fliqz/index.html?vid=31b66c9e74064363a508d90055444152

He obviously got all of JC's hair...

I'm still waiting for him to call in that debt...

Very nice! well done

dude

How much makeup

did they make you wear for that?

PS, my wife's place in Jax is a shithole... I told her to move into your place for the rest of the week. :P

Check is in the mail...

Nice job John.

What is with that avatar?

I've watched it a hundred times waiting for her to take off the next layer. Still waiting....

Here's the story...but I have no idea the significance.

Mystery woman in black

I'll change it - it's political, and I don't want to get into why I found the story engaging.

On track - what did people think of the last part? The idea that we need some new people to get involved with the NGB? Mid-year meeting will be in Providence, then we go back to Phoenix next October. It would be great to get more multihull sailors involved to allow further progress and prevent some of the things we've had happen in the last couple of years.

If you want more multihull sailors to show up at the meetings, hold them in Orlando or Miami. How much sailing is there in Phoenix anyway?

No offense, Timbo, but catamaran sailing in the US does not revolve around Florida and the southeast US, despite the demographics of this forum.

There happens to be a quite vibrant sailing scene in Phoenix. Hobie Fleet 66 and the Viper 640 group sail on local lakes and down in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. Phoenix is only 3 hours from Lake Havasu.

Tim how many FL multihull sailors do you think were at the Oct. 2008 metting in St. Pete? Hint: You won't need both hands to do the count.

I'm guessing...one? Two maybe? I don't recall when it was, I wish I had known and gone to it though. Did you go? If so, you could have called me and I would have gone with you, if you needed a date. ;^)

Matt, no disrespect to them intended, I just think of Phoeninx as a desert location so it struck me as odd to hold a Sailing meeting there.

We multihuller's have always been the red headded step children of US Sailing.

I know JW is trying to change that and I applaude his efforts. Perhaps what we need is a "All Hands On Deck" call to flood every one of these meetings with Multihuller's? JW, do you think that would help or hurt our cause?

I know from past experience in the Monohull world just how -snooty- some of those slow boat skippers can be. Things have changed a bit with the newer Melges type sport boats though. There were some old timers who hated us J-24 "Young Whipper-Snappers" when we would show up.

Might have been all the alcohol though...

John, it would seem that the "things that have happened" are simply not so upsetting that sailors feel obligated to get up and do anything.

Take a look at the Olympics Issue. The World MHC council assumes that the loss of the Olympics is a big issue to the rank and file sailor. Pascoe wrote


What is the "flow on effect" impact in the USA? My observation is that MOST of my colleagues are disappointed at the change but see NO impact on THEIR sailing world. They simply don't see any relationship between Olympics and their sailing... Its too amorphous. Consequently their energy to do anything on this issue is really circumscribed and they see no need to step up deal with "stuff" which in their view are non issues. Their attitude is well... "Its great that you think this "stuff "is important... atta boy!"

Seems to me that the big picture issues that are handled at the USSA level are dead last behind their local club issues, (money, club duties, schedule and events) Their regional OD class schedule (money and schedule and growth), and their national class issues (money NA's and growth).

Perhaps the MHC should describe the issues and have the One Design classes weigh in on why the issue matters to their sailors.

Well done JW, but what's with all the "engaging" ???

Mike

Tim, that's a good idea.

All hands on deck!

The Multihull Council needs you.

Individual US class associations will be contacted in the coming weeks to gather data concerning class strength and distribution for the purpose of preparing a report for the edification of US SAILING, and for inclusion in a paper from the ISAF Multihull Commission to be finalized at the mid-year meeting in Hungary, following the issuance of the Olympic Commission's recommendations for the 2016 Games in Rio and beyond. You can help now, by renewing your membership in your class association so that you're counted, and there's no better time to support your class. Strength flows up - a strong class attracts new sailors and fosters youth sailing. Strong youth programs provide the foundation for renewed class growth in the longer term. Growing classes invite greater levels of competition for those that want it. Healthy racing engenders premier events, which position the sport to showcase pinnacle events like the Olympics and World Championships. Your participation at the local level makes all the rest possible!

The Board of US SAILING has developed a list of five major priorities - Multihull sailing is number two. There has been no other time in recent history that has been more ripe for action; the America's Cup, a well-publicized Extreme 40 circuit, at-capacity numbers in international events like the Hobie 16 and Formula 18 Worlds... we've reached critical mass on visibility due to fortuitous circumstances. As a result, the slightest effort on your part is magnified tenfold.

Make a commitment for the coming New Year - join your class, make a schedule of events that you will attend, take a friend sailing... there are two US SAILING meetings scheduled in 2010 - if you can, please come. Your expenses are deductible and you'll get a letter for your 2011 filing:

- March 20th (Saturday) at the Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel
- October 23rd (Saturday) at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Phoenix, AZ

Just showing up helps - it keeps us on the radar. On top of that, we actually get some things done - an Ad Hoc committee of the Council will be presenting new off-shore beach cat safety recommendations to the Safety at Sea Committee in Providence. Planning for future qualifying and youth events takes place. Final preparation and discussion of US issues will be ironed out in advance of the ISAF meeting, etc., etc. We need your help.

Let's change the face of multihull sailing in the US... let's show that despite our diversity, we are a distinct discipline in the sport and recreation of sailing and we recognize the commonalities that unite our interests. Access, youth, disabled, one-design, race administration... pick your poison. I'm asking you to raise your hand this time. This coming year can be epic with your help.

Thanks.

Cool, meeting is in Warwick (aka "Providence"), less than an hour for me!

John, feel free to send me a PM or email if you need help with anything for this meeting (or otherwise).

Mike

There is an A cat fleet up there or somewhere nearby right? You should invite all of them too.

Hobie Fleet 448, and a F18 racing class as well (Todd R, where are you?).

Mike