Reply To: OK Dinghy Weight Concentration
Hi guys
Firstly I would also like to welcome Dave back to the land of the living. He was certainly subdued in Melbourne however was still on fine form most days.
As for the issue at hand it is nothing new. Roger blasse had to cut his station 2 bulkhead out in 1990 as it was deemed to be too thick even if it was quite light. Karl Purdie had to remove the backers for his hiking straps in Wellington and get them weighed as the measurer there (another kiwi) thought they looked excessive. Down under they have always checked for this and will continue to do so. The theory being that if it seems excessive for the job required then it is probably there just for weight. I agree it is very hard to rule or check on all this but there seem to be unacceptable limits. Steel used in that size was deemed to be excessive. On the other hand 3.5kg (or whatever it weighs) of tread master in the cockpit seems to be alright.
I have no idea if the rule should be clarified or not but so far it seems to have worked as is. Common sense seems to have prevailed. It was a real shame that this incident overshadowed what was a really good and hard event. I cannot remember a closer worlds with 4 of us within one point. Of course only 5 races helped this. Still as usual the best guy won in the end.
Cheers
Greg
