The season is just starting for us up here in North America with the first regatta this coming weekend. We are looking forward to a great racing season. We have several new boats that have joined the fleet in Seattle.

After reviewing the items discussed at the World's council meetings, I have several items I would like to comment on. The first item is the issue of the one design principle. North America applauds the council members for maintaining the minimum hull weight of 68 kilos. We believe that all boats should be the same, most importantly starting with the hulls. Equally the same should be the cneterboard, rudder and masts. We support maintaining the one design principle, although we have voted to grandfather existing boats without mast stiffeners for racing in North America. The builder is now required to supply only masts with stiffeners.

On the issue of the minimum crew weight, I believe that North America is currently undecided. However, many of our sailors are in agreement with the Japanese. During 1997 North America voted to sail without the minimum crew weight rule. It appears not to have made a noticeable difference in scoring (this being a purely subjective analysis). Over the last few weeks I have polled our fleets to determine whether 1) we should continue to sail without the minimum crew weight rule in 1998, and 2) the feeling of the fleet members regarding this rule. By a margin of over two to one, members have voted to continue to sail without the minimum crew weight rule. The responses were broad and varied. They range from (against the crew weight rule):

1) Class racing should reflect the skill and technique of the sailors. This rule inhibits the ability of light crews in windy choppy conditions, while sailing in light conditions for all but the very heavy crews is more technique oriented.

2)The rule doesn't make a lot of difference, the same people still win regardless of size.

3)The rule is exclusionary,arbitrary and archaic. Having a minimium crew weight is akin to saying we should have minimum/maximum height rule. You can make boats one design, but that's not possible with people.

Proponents of the existing minimum crew weight rule pretty much agreed that this rule provides an equalization between lighter and heavier crews, maintaining a more one design sailing experience.

I believe we should continue to discuss this issue.

Regardless of our differences, people will continue to sail the boat.

People don't just join our fleets in North America because they like the boats, they also like the level of competition and the people. Our members enjoy the style of sailing we do - most importantly our "Bush regatta's", sailing and camping (or hoteling for some) in beautiful, semi-remote locations. It's a great boat and a great group of people I am privileged to sail against!

Cathy Sherwood - Maplesugar 2392

Home