IMCA Forum

Since I don't have a blogger account I'm not able to comment on Doug's blog so I decided to put my statement here.

We've had this debate for several times now and both parties have valuable arguments.

It is true that somebody with deep pockets or a big sponsor behind him may show up with a whole bunch of different rigs and foils, giving him a potential advantage over the ordinary Joe who only has a little pocket money to spend and therefore must scrimp and save to purchase his equipment. Hence at first glance it looks like a one equipment rule could provide for equal opportunities.

Actually I doubt this.

Every buck that someone is willing and able to spend is an advantage over those who don't or can't, even if you prohibit the use of several different foils, masts or sails for different weather conditions. What do you want to undertake against people buying two sails and using one of them for training and the other - which then is still in brand new condition - for racing? Even the possession of spare parts that could be used legally if officially permitted by the race committee (let's assume the part in question was in fact accidentally damaged and not deliberately destroyed to be allowed to change equipment which is a further topic) is an advantage over those who would have to try and fix their one and only existing part - if possible at all! With a spare foil or mast up one's sleeve one can quickly replace the broken one and be back on the course for the next heat.

Cookie raised an important issue: Support boats are indeed unsporty in my opinion and unlike a one equipment rule I would surely support an attempt to ban them from the race course.

Ole GER-1045

I think people having multiple bits of equipment can be a benefit for the class as long as the Mothy spirit lives on and the guys that have these bits are prepared to offer them/sell up to those in need.
When we have these big events there are always breakages and it is in the class' interest to keep as many boats on the water as possible and the more kit there is the better regattas we will have...

I have been thinking about support boats and I do not think they should be banned. Support boats have the following functions:

- Platform for supporters to get closer to the on the water action.
- To make sailing more convenient by carrying water and food.
- Rescue support.
- Platform for spectators, picture and video taking.
- Carrying spares (Has anyone done this yet?)

So I see them as getting more people closer to the racing, making the racing more comfortable, and safer. There is no direct competitive advantage unless they are used to ram boats or get in their way.

Yes not every one has access to them but maybe it is time to make friends with the supporters, and rescue drivers buy them a beer and ask them to take out a spare water bottle. I am sure they will be happy to be more involved and meet more sailors. The teams that are so uptight and under pressure that they only support their own you should feel sorry for because they are obviously not having much fun.

The dash for shore does not take long as we tend to sail close the be beach and our boats are fast. Once ashore it is much easier to change sails or foils so the advantage of on the water gear swapping is not as big a it seams at first.

There are all sort of boring ISAF rules about outside assistance so I do not think we need to stat making our own.

Doug,

In the example cited in Australia the boat was driven by either Rohan or Amac. In Geelong, Rohan was working as a Bladerider team only support, and as a between race R&R point for Nathan.

Also a lot of races on on the harbours in Australia are quite a long way from shore, sometimes 30 mins or more to sail out to the course, so that would be a 1 hour return trip (It was today at Belmont)

ISAF rules re support boats only apply 5 mins before the start (if I recall correctly), other than that, you can pretty much do what you like.

I think we should sharply distinguish between support boats that operate on behalf of the hosting club and for everyone's benefit, and those being part of the personal assistance squad of some particular sailors or teams.