International 14 Mailing List
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From: Pyper, Rollo (Rollo.Pyper@maff.gsi.gov.uk)
Date: Wed 17 Jan 2001 - 15:36:58 GMT
Craig,
Glad to hear your Championship was a success, good to see a mix of
states in the top few.
Some of your comments need to be answered however.
1). Your concern that there are a few, vocal, members of the class
trying to influence the direction of the class, needs to be allayed.
The class has a World Association Constitution which,among other
things,covers rule changes.
Any rule change has to be voted on by all members of each country to
achieve a "Country result". Within the World Association,Country votes are
allocated by the size of their membership,with a factor to boost the smaller
countries,and any vote,in order to be passed, has to achieve a 2/3rds
majority. All this takes 18 months - 2 years to be implemented,and this is
after a Trial Year. Under the Constitution any country can declare a Trial
Year. It has to be for something specific e.g. two trapezes, or in this case
- wider boats. The Trial has to be for one calendar year, after which the
country concerned must put forward a rule change to be voted on by everyone
concerned,or else,drop the matter. So,from declaring a Trial to having a
rule change implemented will take a minimum of 2 1/2yrs, but more like
3-4yrs in practice.
This unfortunately creates a period of uncertainty within the class, which
can lead to confusion, as to what is happening,
especially to people outside the class who are thinking of joining.
Each country also has the right to a veto of one year, for any rule change
they do not wish to go ahead with, but it can be for one year only.
The last major rule change was Jan.1996, the earliest possible width
change (providing all agree)would be Jan.2003. This would make 7 yrs between
major changes. You suggest 5yrs, I rest my case m'lud !! I do
agree,however, that periods of stability are vital for the future of the
class.
Glad to hear that you ,atleast,are going to test wider boats.
Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have seen many changes to the boats
over the years,culminating with the very welcome amalgamation with
yourselves. At every rule change we made - some were quite substantial -
after all the arguments were done , we always said "why didn't we do this
sooner",and it was never as bad as the doomsters predicted.Sure, we lost a
few numbers each time but they were always made up with new young blood, and
always for the better.
It is quite understandable to be apprehensive with regard to rule
changes,but in this case, if you "suck it and see", there is no doubt in my
mind you will come round and wonder what all the fuss was about(hopefully!).
2). World Venues. Bermuda - This is what it costs to put on a major
championship where there is no indigenous fleet and no sponsorship.It
highlights just what good value the class has had from San Fran., Melbourne
etc.,and we tend to take for granted, all the hard work put in by class
members and others for these events.
3). Number of sails used at a championship. I am interested to know why
this is an issue. It is not something which has caused concern in the north.
It is not unusual for people to get a new sail or set of sails just before a
major championship, but unless damaged in some way or using an old set for
windy days, there does not seem to much changing of sails going on. What
would you suggest? one set of sails per championship or two? One new,one
old?
5). Cost of boats. This has always been a concern to the class.How can
costs be lowered? Low volume production of masts ,hulls& sails does not
help.Home build is one way. It has never been easier with modern
materials,but not everyone has the aptitude or inclination,not to mention
time and space. A competitive home build design would be a start for those
who can.
6).During the World Council meeting at Beer last year it was suggested
that the class needed to know where it was heading,and that a "Mission
Statement" would be beneficial. Any good ideas?
Some rule changes e.g. weight reduction can be planned in advance with an
agreed timetable, others seem to be more spontaneous in origin and as such
are more difficult to anticipate.
If we keep the mast height, sail area and hull measurements (except width)
the same,what can be changed that will have a significant effect on the
boats performance? Wider beam is obvious. As this is being trialled in
various countries, experience has shown, that it is not a case of "if", but
by "how much and when". Weight reduction is a possibility. For
starters,boom,vang,all sheets and ropes - i.e. everything fixed to the hull-
at present excluded from weight could be included. This would help reduce
all up sailing weight. The advent of racks and smaller hulls has resulted in
much expensive lead being needed. This can be done away with, in due course.
Apart from these two items I don't see much serious change on the
horizon,so, after a width change? we could be in for a lengthy period of
rules stability. Sounds good to me.
Rollo Pyper.
-----Original Message----
From: jose Padman [mailto:cjpadman@ozemail.com.au]
Sent: 07 January 2001 19:33
To: Int 14 List (E-mail)
Subject: australian titles
<p>The Australian titles have just finished with a total of 41 boats. This
number
was down from years gone by (something the Australian Council is looking
at closely)
but the highest standard ever.
1st Vandelay Ind Jason Beebe Qld
2nd Rump Steak Mark Kristic Vic
3rd Tasker Sails Brad Devine W Aust
4th Irwin Sails Lindsay Irwin Vic
5th Wam Alan Vickery Vic
All results can be found on www.rqys.com.au
An owners meeting was also held during the titles. The general feeling
at the meeting
was that most of us in Australia are not happy where a small percentage
of sailors with
a vocal voice are trying to take the class.
The following are points that were brought up. In weeks to come we will
expand on these.
1. Width of boats.
95% are against any change of width, but we will run our own tests, as
we don't want
to be railroad by our northern friends.
2. Venues for World Titles.
Looks like no Australians will be going this year. Must be held at
places were we don't
have to rob a bank to get to?
3. Rule Changes.
Rules must be stable for 5 year periods. If this doesn't happen we have
no chance of
getting new sailors into the class in Australia.(as it was we had people
looking at
our boats in the rigging area and asking how many classes we were
racing).
4. Number of sails used in a title
5. Cost of boats
The next Australian Titles are to be held in Sydney between 28th Dec
2001-7th Jan 2002
right next door to the container port. If any overseas14 sailors are
thinking about a
change in plans, then why no come, as all are welcome The entry fee is
$350 AUD all up.
Ask the German and American boys who came to the titles in Brisbane just
finished if they had a good time?
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