In three weeks FW General Assembly will vote for the Class rules changes. Publication of the proposals provoked, sometimes very emotional, discussion on Gaastra and Starboard forums. Today the opinions of sail manufacturers were published. I think, that to aid the delegates in making the final votes it is very important to give them a wide spectrum of the opinions.
Yesterday I found in my archive the papers taken from Official Notice Board after the Euro Cup Miedzyzdroje. They were posted there by Gerald Pelleau (F-17). I copied the original text here:
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About change size of sail Formula Windsurfing
Too early and too late, and certainly wrong decision ….
TO EARLY:
What’s the formula windsurfing concept?
It’s a concept to improve we can racing on maximum conditions with only 1 funboard and 3 sails: everybody and around the world. (today around 6-35 knots).
Formula windsurfing is to promote a nice and fun windsurf racing but not to learn windsurf!
Today, there’s a maximum limit size: 12,5 m2 for men and 10,0 m2 for women. But, this event improve again that less 7 knots we can’t racing: it’s bad for us, fou our sponsors and than, for the concept of FW.
So, we must work for early planning in the light wind: to decrease size of sail work against this target. When a sail in windsurfing become to small you can see more and more pumping (downwind). Is it spirit of FW?
Why few sailors decide to kill the concept of formula and kill access of Formula for big body? Why a heavy (high and weight) body or sailor who like power can’t sailing in Formula?
We need to work on best 12,5 and staff for small body!
TO LATE:
Today, where are we? 2001, we have just choose a restriction of size sails, boards. So, sailors around start to buy their equipment : masts, booms and sails for up 10,0m2. Those sailors are the most enjoy about Formula … What do you do with them? “Put now your last sail in bin because one year after the first restriction, we decide a new one…”! I don’t know a sport which grow up when his major rule change every year!
If you (Sailors Committee) decide a new size limit you MUST PAID all of those equipment which are product and dead with new restriction … or you don’t touch during two years again (minimum)!
If you think 11,0m2 is same of 12,5m2, you can improve it but you mustn’t imposit. If best sailors used and wined with 11,0 m2 everybody chose it naturally.
I know that you don’t pay yours equipment but I know new generation who worked hard to buy it; and now, their mast and sail cost nothing!?
Today, nobody controle size on event …?
CONCLUDE:
This type of decision will be taken if we need to save Formula Windsurfing ? Are we in this case? Certainly not. Save your energy for best idea to promote our sport. Block major rules for 4 years (2 years again) and than we can take conclusion: not before! (Events 2002 haven’t start that we hear a possible change of limit size of sail: it’s incredible to disturb new generation and bisiness!)
If you are agree with those 3 pages, you can sign here:
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Wrote and posted on the Official Notice Board during EC Miedzyzdroje by Gerald Pelleau (F-17) and signed then by:
Sylvain Moussilmani – F-73
Cyril Moussilmani – F-71
Verena Fauster – ITA-31
Margit Germany – AUT-88
Rodolphe Garnier – F-666
