National/Regional Circuits.

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 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 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 zippyRN 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.  that's the issue  ...  someone who is  fit enough and  has good enough technique can hold onto the  same rig as  the 'fatties' even if they are a stone or two underweight   and   any losses  upwind  are made back off the wind

Originally posted by JimC 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...

What you are describing is a PRO making a decision based on local conditions as to whether racing is practical. This happens everywhere already, usually after a discussion with whoever is in charge of the event from a class point of view. It may be that with your strong tide in one venue, a class minimum of 4 knots, say, would still have them going backwards, whereas on a small puddle a zephyr or 2 a would see a nice, if knee aching, tactical battle, and the 4 knot mind would ruin that.