In St. Petersburg, Florida the North American SKUD sailors, coaches and interested parties got together to discuss the current class rules, development, upcoming events and what goes on after Beijing in 2008.
The idea of allowing more sailors than just FCS 1s helm the boat and it was received in mixed emotions. This issue should be debated more so IFDS has a cleat message from the SKUD sailors what we prefer.
Is having at least 1 female a good idea and should this rule continue past Beijing?
Is restricting to at least 1 SDS (FCS1) a good idea or not? If so why? If not, why?
Any other suggestions to improve the class?
Any comments of concern?
Cheers
David Cook
SKUD Owners' Rep.
Interesting David, In NZ we are just starting to develop our Skud programs, and with our small population we are finding it very difficult to even recruit any SDS sailors, and due to the extra health needs of a SDS sailor, the few that are interested get very limited time on the water. Combining this with the need to have one female crew as well, maybe a too limiting factor for the Class to grow at any great knots. If the class rules were to be relaxed after Beijing I think it would help grow the Skud class more, certainly in this neck of the woods.
I fully agree with what T has said in this respect.
I believe the success of the SKUD will rest solely on the amount of people who are willing to outlay significant amount of money and by/sail one of these boats. If the class can attract a lot of sailors, which it has the potential to do, it will be very successful around the world.
At the moment I think the class rules are way too strict and it is seriously restricting the growth of the class worldwide. We should be encouraging more people to sail the boats rather than putting more and more restrictions on who can sail.
The idea of including this class was to create a boat where the FCS1 sailors could realistically and competitively sail at the Paralympic games. I think the FCS1 rule achieves this and is a good idea but it should not matter whether they are on the helm or not, if they're good enough to crew let them go.
What I think it is inhibiting the class is the restriction on the sex of the crew makeup. I think people are finding out that these boats are very challenging and demanding, sailing with SDS is very challenging and demanding and running a Paralympic campaign is extremely costly, challenging and demanding. And on top of this we restrict the sex of the crew. My attitude is that if you can find anyone who is committed to sailing and is willing to undertake the challenges, demands and costs then we should allow them to sail regardless of their sex. As long as they are classifiable.
I am also from the southern hemisphere and want to sail a SKUD but cannot find a suitable crew. I am not going to spend $50,000 on a boat and campaign in the first year to sail with someone off the street who does not know how to sail just because they are the right sex! We need to be able to enjoy our sailing and this means sailing with someone that you want to. Someone who complements your skills and is able to fully contribute. I do not want to spend all my time as a sailing school teacher.
I am sorry for the rant but I believe it is an important issue. I also believe it needs to be rectified before the Beijing games.