Guys and Gals,
Below is the verbatim response I got from IHCA when I asked to update the H18 rules to allow:
- 8:1 mainsheet (as per H18 Formula rule wording)
- non genuine tramps (but as per current IHCA rule wording in all other respects)
- non genuine rudders (but must meet current IHCA templates)
- non genuine dagger boards (but must meet current IHCA templates)
- remove the word “Additional” from H18 Rule 5.6
- remove the word “Additional” from H18 Rule 5.7
My daughter and I still love sailing our 21st century Hobie 18 Reimagined but will be unable to compete in the once a year Hobie sanctioned event.
Regards,
John Forbes
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19 March 2019
Dear Mr. John Forbes,
Once again thank you for your proposals. We of course welcome all ideas and initiatives to get more sailors out racing. However, we are not convinced the rule changes you are proposing will meet the objective and is the right way to go. As a result of our screening and the discussions within the IHCA Rules Committee, with the manufacturer and trademark holder, the IHCA Rules Committee hereby inform you that none of your proposals will be processed further. This for the following reasons:
• Support to the proposals by a National/Regional Association of the IHCA has not been presented, wherefore the proposals are not found to have enough merit/justification i.a.w. with normal IHCA Rules Committee policy for major/controversial change proposals.
• Isolated AUS problem and about a very few class members.
• The majority of active AUS HC18 class members appear happy with the clarifications etc. made last fall.
• The consensus policy between the class and the manufacturers as required by World Sailing (WS) for accepting a change proposal for our WS international classes is applied by the Rules Committee for all IHCA classes when screening change proposals for further processing. The manufacturers have indicated they are opposed to your proposals.
• Starting to change class rules to oblige owners, who with open eyes and for one or the other reason have modified their boats to a non-class legal status, is not considered a healthy class rule strategy for any of our classes.
Thank you for your support of Hobie racing.
On behalf of the IHCA Rules Committee respectfully submitted
Erik Olsen Chairman
19 MAR 2019
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