Jethrow

Opps, it seems that the breeze was actually pretty full on and some finishers were missed in the mayhem so the race was abandoned.

I was told on their facebook page that the 2nd race was abandoned during the race as the breeze crapped out...

I'd have to say from a Cat 4 point of view it doesn't pass the hand hold test...

I guess because none of the spectators will be able to see them, then the race doesn't have to be anywhere near the Olympic venue, just televise the start on the Jumbotron. Maybe start somewhere in southern Chile, round the horn and up to the Falklands!

How can it be a "Recommendation" to the board when the board are the ones that proposed it? ;(

How 'bout this one? https://www.38southboatsales.com.au/listing/thompson-t-980-sports-racer-2 What's the goss?

I think that for all the hassle of being Cat 1 ready, if it was cat 1 it would be going. If not then it would be a last minute withdrawal for crew reasons but certainly not something you could rely on.

I saw two more cats I didn't recognise sail into RMYC this arvo. Starting to hot up on Pittwater!

I saw Windswept 2 out for a sneaky midweek sail this week, training for the Crowther I guess, looked nice gliding around Pittwater in the light breeze

Joe Adams died a fair few years ago

I sail one here in Sydney Aust. We have 8 at our club and they're a great club racer. I wouldn't bother with the assy but if you were to try it, post pics!

Jim Cooney, owner of Commanchie and others

Wow, those are all stunning looking boats!

No I don't think that's what I'm trying to say. I've been around sailing for a long time (50 years?) but for the juniors, you either play the ISAF/ WS game or you go elsewhere. I don't have any kids so I'm not pushing some agenda or anything but I don't think you can say "Look at all the kids sailing X class" when that is the only option available to them to progress through the ranks. Here in Australia we had some fabulous junior classes back in the day and they produced some really great sailors but also trained the kiddies to go further and sail into their later years. Then the Opti was promoted as the ONLY class to sail to go to the Olympics and it killed the other classes but also killed the non Olympic aspirants that just liked sailing and would move into other dinghies or their local yacht club fleets (it's getting a bit better now). My own club is very proud of the numbers of kids in their Opti program and they are having some really good success but for the hundred kids sailing in the opti fleet, how many are still around 5 years down the track. 10%, 5% maybe even less. I just find it sad...