"Congratulations and thanks are due to IWA and (Raceboard) class association, for earlier this month Raceboard was reconfirmed by ISAF as a development class for Windsurfing." But did the rule changes go far enough?
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This is to inform you that a class modification proposal for the IWA Raceboard class has been provided to Rory Ramsden of the IWA on November 26th 2004.
History
IWA's Raceboard class has been dormant in the North America for a considerable time. National associations in Canada, the USA and Mexico have not been member nations or supported Raceboard class competition at the national level. To the best of my knowledge it has also not been an active class in South America, on Island nations or in many parts of Asia.
In North America, the lowest common denominator for sailors competing outside the Mistral, Formula, and IFCA classes has been unlimited open class racing. The format has served as a catch all for people wishing to race who do not have equipment certified for use in the existing classes or for classes too small in numbers to constitute a fleet. At this year's Canadian national championships, the largest start in course racing was a mixed fleet of formula, hybrid and long boards. This start was twice the size of the fleet exclusively starting on Formula gear.
Successes, Challenges, Issues
Earlier this month Raceboard was reconfirmed by ISAF as a development class for Windsurfing. Its apparent goal is to develop racing on hybrid sailboards in the midst of longboard equipment. Congratulations and thanks are due to IWA and the class association for success in this effort. When searching for classes to embrace, an open development class is a natural choice for national organizations, sailors and clubs looking to endorse a limited open design fleet. To be effective a development class must include a broad spectrum of equipment and sailors to encourage participation and development at the widest level. Otherwise too many particpants fall outside its bounds to make the class a sensible choice in a non one design setting. In reviewing the Raceboard rules drafted for implementation in January, it is unfortunately apparent they do not allow a broad enough range of equipment to become practical or popular as a 1 board and 2 sail class. At least certainly not in the North America continent. Under the new drafted rules, some examples of equipment NOT acceptable for Raceboard competition would be;
Twin fin hulls such as the Hifly and older BIC products,
One meter wide Hybrids and "Wideboards" such as the new Starboard Z Class, and some GO and Start products
Sails larger than 9.5M including the popular 11 Meter size range used extensively in Formula class racing
These examples are items with equal potential and popularity to any of the gear presently supported under the new draft rules. As drafted, the rules will deny sailors a chance to race on their equipment at a time when participation should be encouraged above all else.
Proposal
To increase Raceboard's appeal internationally, the proposal calls for a relaxation of some size and appendage limitations while ensuring safety is addressed in the class. To encourage fairness and safety a bodyweight formula for maximum sail sizing is also proposed. This would make Raceboard class appealing to the broadest weight range of sailor of any existing IWA racing class.
The weight formula proposed is simple.
Your maximum Sail area (Meters) = Your on water bodyweight in Kg's divided by 10.
( For weights in pounds divide by 22 instead )
The formula includes a weight tolerance of 10Kg ( 1 meter of sail area )
A high weight tolerance is proposed to account for user choice, for bodyweight & clothing changes as well as other factors relevant to a weight class rule set. As an example, the maximum sail size for clothed sailors weighing 75Kg (165 pounds) would be 7.5 meters. With the 10Kg tolerance, the sailor could oversize by 1 meter ( an 8.5 ) and subject themselves to the increased risk if they so choose.
Summary
Raceboard class can be a sensible alternative to unlimited open class racing currently used in North America and elsewhere. The board and sail quantity limits mimic the limits of other classes, including the upcoming class for the RS:X and as such will help control costs. The limits will also promote a basis for like minded thinking amongst the classes and will be adopted so long as existing equipment inventories are allowed to be used in this open class.
Request
With new hybrid designs and these proposed changes, Raceboard class would leave some sound choices to sailors. This is important to equipment development and to creating a popular class of competition. I ask the class, the IWA and ISAF to consider these changes for the sake of broader class appeal and a chance at a new beginning in on the water activity for Raceboard sailing.
Here's to the betterment of Windsurfing and a bright future of choices for all the Windsurfing world.
Sincerely
Cam Rawlinson
Vice Chairman, Windsurfing Canada
Presenter (Boards and Less - Canada ) ISAF Trials Torbole
Victoria BC
