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US Sailing MHC report on the Mixed Multihull selection #245691
03/16/12 10:31 PM
03/16/12 10:31 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,116
Annapolis, MD
Mark Schneider Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
Mark Schneider  Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,116
Annapolis, MD
MHC Mixed Multihull Selection committee Ad hoc meeting report.


A very informative ad hoc meeting with and USSA ISAF delegate, Dina Kowalyshyn was held after the MHC meeting Saturday Oct 29, 2011. Dina is the Vice Chairman of the ISAF Equipment Committee and involved in equipment selection for the Olympics. Earlier that morning Gary Jobson discussed the unique opportunity that the Mixed Multihull discipline will provide in 2016. The mixed natured of this sport is unique in the Olympics and he expects a lot of media interest in this. US Sailing arranged for an informal meeting with a group drawn from the MHC meeting with Dina to discuss the status.

The first step is the equipment selection process and the ISAF Committee will be formed the week following the USSA meetings. Dina reviewed the major selection criteria for the mixed multihull event and the rationale for each. Basically, ISAF is looking for a good sailing boat that demonstrates the commitment to gender equity (including governance) and this boat must be affordable. Another objective targeted by the RFP is to get the max number of MNA's to compete for the 18 Olympic slots. The US Sailing ISAF committee debated this issue (without any multihull sailors choosing to attend) and came to the opinion that the mixed multihull boat could be faced with a one and done life cycle. The expectation is that for 2020 that multihulls would be used for men’s and woman’s events following another equipment selection event.

Two of the three classes that could be affected by this decision; Hobie 16 and Formula 16, and several ex com members of the MHC were represented at the table (F18’s were not represented) and the class leaders had every opportunity to make their case and discuss the impact of any decision on their US Class and fully understand the ISAF goals and choices.

The USA Hobie 16 class remains 100 % committed to main and jib classic sloop and would oppose a Hobie 16 with spin. The USA F16 class is ambivalent if one of their boats is selected. The Intl Tornado class (EU) is making lots of noise and attempting to force the Tornado into the trials as being a good fit for the mixed multihull discipline. The Intl F18 class is opposed to selecting a current F18 model for the mixed multi event. Dina Kowalyshyn reported about her current opinion on the equipment selection. The Hobie 16 with spin is not an option. The design is dated and the universal acceptance worldwide does not shift the balance towards this boat. She has not heard that Hobie Corp will even submit the 16 with spin. The F18 designs are too heavy for mixed teams from many countries with peoples of smaller stature. Time will tell if a company submits a modified F18 that is lighter. The AHPC Viper F16 and the Nacra F16 are looking like boats that hit a lot of the RFP bench marks . The Tornado, in her opinion also misses the mark from the gender equity standard. The America’s Cup group will submit a high tech boat with curved foils and a fixed wing sail for consideration.

The ISAF goal of increasing the Olympic movement to more countries and the need for the mixed multihull to fit that mission was addressed. The cost of the equipment matter and prices in line with the 49ner were not viewed as out of line. The number 20,000K was discussed as a upper limit target. Time and again, Dina dismissed the cost factor of the Hobie 16 with spin as sufficiently large to counter negative factors. The critical factor that will increase participation is the change in the ISAF World Cup Schedule and the new Selection Criterion for the 18 Mixed Multihull slots and the fact that the new class does not have entrenched powers in place. We understand that the countries will qualify for Olympic slots at the combined World Cup event in the Olympic year or through a series of regional events. She noted that only two events will be in the EU for the next cycle. From the USA perspective, The US does well in the first year of new events and we look forward to both women’s skiff and mixed multihull and that US Olympic has strong US candidates in mind who are interested in competing.

The EXPECTATION is that US multihull sailors will support this class and provide events, training and support for the sailors. ISAF expects international regattas to be on the schedule and supported in 2012! The sailors at the table were skeptical that large numbers of US sailors would be switching to this new class. We reviewed the status of multihull junior sailing in Hobie 16’s and Viper F16’s. The consensus around the table was that existing Yacht clubs are not developing junior multihull programs. Dina noted that the target sailors were probably not racing in a multihull right now. Several ideas were brainstormed on how to grow and support the soon to be created mixed multihull class in this environment. Mike Levesque, MHC chair will be looking into getting boats into the hands of sailors at the Intercollegiate National championships for demo sails because this was extremely valuable to the 29er XX skiff class in generating new interest. The woman’s skiff selection is also pending.

We also discussed the availability of regattas for mixed multihull teams in addition to the Miami OCR ISAF Grade I World Cup event and the classes understood the request to support and get in alignment with the mixed multihull Olympic class.

The MHC and Class Associations are very pleased with the good relationships and dialog with Dina Kowalyshyn, our US ISAF representative, and are highly appreciative of all of US Sailings leadership and efforts to make sure we had direct input into the process. They made this ad hoc meeting possible. US multihull sailors should be assured that their voices were sought after, heard, and that we are up to date on the emerging mixed multihull selection process.

Sincerely
Mark Schneider Area C


crac.sailregattas.com
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Re: US Sailing MHC report on the Mixed Multihull selection [Re: Mark Schneider] #245725
03/18/12 12:43 AM
03/18/12 12:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
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chibbuda Offline
stranger
chibbuda  Offline
stranger
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Thank you very much for the information! I really appreciate it! smile


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