Now the revolution's here, how is the sport going?

Chris 249. Here on the Solent, one of the jewels in the sailing world's crown, (NB - not including Hayling or the Chichester Harbour Clubs in this) - the biggest fleet of one designs dinghies offering regular fleet sailing is................... the Foxer! Yes, the little David Thomas 11ft dinghy that sails on a par with a piece of driftwood. But week after week, you have a collection of top class sailors (including the likes of Ian Southworth) enjoying close racing, within the confines of the busy Hamble river. Speed - be it is a sailing dinghy or on a hotted Honda, is great...but it can soon pall.
History tells us that revolutions are fed by the lack of a middle ground, which suggests to me one reason why the Laser revolution - which sits firmly in the middle ground, is the one that has stood the test of time. Watching a fairly good sized handicap fleet today, I was struck by the exceptions - a 29er and an RS 500, rather than the rest of the fleet, which was a dependable mix of the so called 'older' boats.
Ca plus ca change.....

D