National/Regional Circuits.

Originally posted by rb_stretch Originally posted by Rupert But heavier sailors can switch to the bigger the earlier than lighter sailors as the wind drops. And as the wind gets lighter, the lightweights can also have the big rig. Most heavy sailors will need the biggest rig in up to 20 knots. Below that lighter sailors can start changing up as well. Most sailing conditions mean that the big sailor is only ever using the one rig. Hence they don't get the advantage of multi rigs.

Originally posted by Chris 249 Originally posted by Rupert A lower wind limit. Only ever suggested by people unable to concentrate on picking up ultra light gusts and shifts. lower wind limits have also been suggested by people who see that the future of the sport is all about spectacular high-speed sailing in ideal conditions.

There's also the practical point that if tidal stream strength is approaching wind strength then navigation is more or less impossible - and there may be other considerations. If, for instance, your racing fleet has to cross a chain ferry then you do not want to be sailing in conditions where its impossible to get out of the way.
But ultimately the object of the exercise is to have fun. If a fleet/club decides that racing below a given wind strength is not fun, and they'd rather be telling tall tales over a beer in the dinghy park, well, who are we to argue? I can recall a fair few occasions when a fleet cheered when the abandon flag went up, but not any when they sighed or booed...

Originally posted by Rupert A lower wind limit. Only ever suggested by people unable to concentrate on picking up ultra light gusts and shifts.

Originally posted by rb_stretch Anyway there is actually a solution to this that has been used for windsurfers for years - a lower wind limit.

What effectively destroyed competitive windsurfing, lower wind limits, then minimum wind speeds, brought about 1 champion for decades, and reduced participation. Parents taking kids to events and nothing happening didn't see them returning too often. It's what killed the Formula Class.

Worse thing you can do meddling with the weather, it's the one element everyone has to accept.

Likewise I have lent my Phantom to lightweights when doing duty and they have promptly cleaned up.

Anyway there is actually a solution to this that has been used for windsurfers for years - a lower wind limit.

Good to see the Aero class has separated out people sailing different rigs into each individual class.