Singlehander Trials

That article seems to suggest that small variations between boats and the weight they will carry, rather than lobbying, will decide which boat will be chosen. TBH, given that whatever boat is chosen, weights will converge and so sailor weight gained or lost, lobbying is a good a way, if not better, to choose the boat.

Are the ideal weights for Men and women in the radial the same?

I have a feeling the whole subject is much more complex than being made out by the article. I'd take bets that if the Aero 5 was put up for selection and won, we would have complaints about how women were having to diet to compete, and how unhealthy it is.

If memory serves me right, I think the Men's weight is heavier. I was hoping for actual figures. It seems the perfect weight isn't an absolute but rotates around the weight where you aren't too penalised in the light or heavy - in other words, near the average.

But yes, given we can't have 6 weight categories, I suppose being near the average weight of the world population of female athletes would make sense. Anyone know what that weight actually is?

Haven't the Russians and GDR being doing that to their gymnasts forever?

Originally posted by Riv From what I can gather WS think that the Laser as it currently is does not cover the appropriate weight ranges for men and women, meaning that it disadvantages some countries/ethnic groups  From latest descriptions on SA it seems that the Devoti is favoured because it is more tuneable than the others as it has adjustable mast rake They intend that the Laser stays on as the feeder for what ever boat is chosen, the skills being fully transferable as non of the new boats are radically different from the Laser. So, given the mission to widen sailing's appeal this sounds perfectly reasonable.

That would be a disaster, the D0 isn't a Finn and like the Aero from the whispers I've heard the manufacturing has been 'varied' to say the least. Could it be ramped up to produce the numbers? Then if it did, how's the quality likely to be? Then there's the handling on the sea which those of us that like the boat were at the very least 'guarded' about in our comments, (except maybe me on the odd fb thread) it's not the nice boat on open water that it is inland or estuary conditions, it would have been another 'fun' ride at Beijing or the outer courses on those windy days in Rio.