When DavidC (who I respect immensely) says:
This seems so far removed from what the majority of old-school CVRDA was about.it is racing and it is beholden on every good racer to try and make their boat as fast as they can within the rules which might include a handicap
In the past David has also said something along the lines of it being our duty to 'try as hard as we can to win' (sorry if this is not an exact quote - please do feel free to correct me if it does not reflect your opinion).
I just feel that the CVRDA is really a long way outside normal dinghy sailing as represented by the RYA.
Am I so evil - if for 90% of the time I couldn't care less who wins? Should I be black-balled for sometimes slowing down to chat to a friend, or going wide to give room at a mark to an older boat? For going back to pick up my hat? For slowing down to take a photo? For sailing with my children? For laughing? For having fun?
Is it so bad - if I have more admiration for someone struggling with wooden mast and cotton sails at the back of the fleet than a modernised boat at the front? If I want to race a boat in as original form as I can, even if I know I could make it faster? Is it so wrong that I think the old un-developed boats should have a system that allows them to to well? Should I really be looking for every handicap loop-hole I can find to try and make my boats 'faster' and more 'competitive'?
Is it honestly my responsibility to put 'winning' in front of 'enjoying' our old boats?
Was the CVRDA so wrong to try and create a handicap system that gave the older boat a half-chance at doing better, without totally turning it into a new boat?
Yes, these are racing boats....and we should and do enjoy racing them, but I think if anybody honestly feels it is their duty to race a boat that is as highly developed as they can make it.....as hard as they possibly can.....this is most probably the wrong association for them. Go sail a laser.
love & kisses
eib