In reading posts and getting current again most comment, opinion, and controversy seem to be around the 18 HT boat decision, crew weight, fate of Inter 20s, future racing, etc.
-The advantages of the 18 ht are #1 availability, especially for teams traveling across country and for International teams, along with the promise of a parts truck with spares equally available to all for the 03 Worrell , This may be a point of great conflict and controversy next year .-W F deserves great credit for taking this on, it is and will continue to be a difficult task, but any that accomplish anything worthwhile are always subject to a great amount of criticism, it is only people who do nothing that are not subject to it .
Mike Worrell also of course deserves our support and appreciation for the great task of resurrecting and organizing this event going into it's 21st year, that is an accomplishment, not without the controversy, obstacles, problems, and stormy seas we all sail through to overcome each year.
Lightweight boats are great, the advantages are clear, and believe the race will continue to thrive with more participation, media coverage, and great racing far into the future.
Ideally though if most current Worrell teams were polled they would ask that the race expand to include both an 18 and a 20 Class. I do not believe the 2 classes would conflict with each other or prohibit the growth of the 18 ht Class. I would much rather see fifteen -18HT 18S AND 15 20s on the starting line next year. Teams also have a huge investment in building a campaign up over a period of years on the Inter 20 s. as is evident by the great close racing this year with 6 different teams winning legs of the race and going into the last leg with one second separating the two lead boats after 940 miles of racing up the Atlantic coast, --incredible!!
Most experienced sailors when asked about distance ocean racing on cats will say it belongs on 20s for the added buoyancy of 2 more feet of bow forward and weight carrying capacity of required added gear equipment and safety requirements. -In sailing the leg downwind around Cape Hatteras this year throttling back with each 25 to 30 MPH gust in 4 to 5 ft seas many flipping several times, snapping masts, and getting injured, it is difficult to imagine the narrow wave piecing type hulls being very efficient in these types of conditions often encountered in the Worrell 1000 and other similar ocean distance races.
Hope to test sail the 18 HT this season and test it in these types of conditions before deciding to race again next year.
There are plans in the works for a similar one week distance event up the coastline of FL from the Keys to Tybee Island held at a different time of year, THIS IS GREAT, and potentially would be a great compliment to the Worrell, Florida is such a great venue for distance racing .We would ideally see similar events on the East and West coast along with the Midwest potentially on the Great Lakes, it may be as simple as expanding on present existing races with added sponsors promotion and media coverage and as always great coverage here on Catsailor by Rick and Mary. If I can be of any assistance in helping organize or promote these events being planned or in the works please contact me .
The Amber Cup and other similar distance races are being held and planned in Europe as well.
An interest sailing season ahead , see you out there sailing .
All the best
Carl Roberts