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I'm not saying it's not possible to defy the odds with skill, I've also beaten plenty of heavy folk in strong winds and taken kids out in light.
But, come up against someone at the top level with equal skills, knows every tactic, calls every shift, avoids every bear trap, then a lighter person will win in marginal planing and a taller heavier person will win in stronger winds if you are on the same kit.

Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by iGRF There is no equality in class racing, never will be, all the time body shapes and weights are unequal, so the main tenet of class racing is built on a lie. What garbage ... that is like saying there is no equality in the 100m as Bolt is taller than Powell ... etc ... If the equipment is all the same you have a level playing field. I wonder sometimes if you lot even realise what you're writing. If Powell were taller than Bolt maybe he'd beat him, as it is Bolt wins because he's taller & faster, how fair is that? It is a race between two people to establish who is faster. That is what a race is.  From what you are saying the only fair race is between perfect human clones ... Which of course would be a dead heat.

Nicely sidestepped there, thought Id nailed you with the springy paraplegic led argument, which exactly makes my point, that to be truly fair if equipment is involved in a race, then that equipment should be matched exactly to the individual body of the competitors, which makes my point again that having identical equipment regardless of competitor size, cannot be fair. I believe the term is QED.

... It is definetely looking like time to stop dancing around the handbags ... and maybe put on the wetsuit and go sailing in whatever lights your particular fire.  

Its been said many times in the past but 20 minutes hands-on experience (er ..  as with so many of lifes most worthwhile and enjoyable activities )  is always worth any amount of reading and theory.  None of us are forced to  sail anything at all and if you like what you sail already then the rest of us are delighted for you ....

You don't have to try any other coffee than the Starbucks offerings either ...  if it hits the mark for you -  it really is your choice.  This was never going to be a 'winnable' discussion !  We all learn one day that individual choices are not uniform or universal...   (and thank Goodness for that!)  If you like your Starbucks coffee and drive a Mondeo well fantastic.  I have enjoyed both in my time as well but you will still probably not like my favorite 'Alfa'.  But what if you would like it ? And you never ever get to try to see if you do ?   And you would lose nothing by trying one....  but what next if it is as good as the hype ?      Blimey  ... now that might be a real worry.

Mike L.  (who will be sailing as usual this weekend !)

Originally posted by yellowwelly Why would someone who wants class racing buy a boat based on PY banditry? That defies logic- even for a dinghy sailor!

Er.. who let him in? He's awake then, sorry you're point is what exactly?

A straight 100 metres isn't a fair analogy, for that it's probably better to consider the paraplegics racing on equipment to help them run, then them all being forced to use exactly the same length springy things they use regardless of how tall they are or their stride length.