As its been a few days since ISAFs decisions i figured its my turn to weigh in.
As much as i embrace the future of sailing, every boat has its place. Sometimes there needs to be once last shot for an older boat to prove its point and i think the 470 just got it. Growing up ive sailed pretty much everything there is to sail, except catamarans. Done 420s, Snipes, 470s, 29ers, 18s, I 14s, pretty much whatever i was offered. One thing that ive learned is that skiffs teach you dinghies cant teach you and dinghies teach you things skiffs cant teach you. I believe to be the best well rounded sailor you can be its better to sail everything.
When you start to add the Olympic title into a class then it just gets political. It becomes a contest of what boat is better than the other and the ideals seem to get lost somewhere in there. I for one would be happy with either decision. Not being a big enough person with decent crewing ability has left me out of the 49er, but keeps me in the 470 at the Olympic level. Without the 470 i probably would have never made it, unless i switched to a helm. So, all boats provide different opportunities for different people, thus the wide range of sailing classes in the world and in the Olympics.
So at the moment im standing quite neutral with all of ISAFs decisions. But, maybe in the future if theres a chance my boat (whatever it may be) is threatened, i might have to get defensive as well. But for now im quite content with ISAFs decisions, but would definitely like to see a newer more modern version of boats selected for 2016.
In other sailing news, i stepped into a keel boat for the first time in a very long time to race. I raced the Etchells 22 PCCs in San Diego over the weekend and had an awesome time. With 17 yr. old helm Judge Ryan, trimmer/tactician Robbie Dean, and ballast Georgie Ryan and myself, we faired pretty well against the 26 boat veteran fleet. At times we showed our age and at other showed what we’ve really got. In the end we pulled off a 5-5-25-14-10 to finish 8th overall. Plenty of people impressed including ourselves!
Also after way to much time, the commitment has been made and the money gone, as i have finally paid for my moth. Just hope it gets off the ground tomorrow and into the air in time for Mikaela to sail it next week!
