Thoughts on Masters Grand Prix

[LASERJIMC (at) AOL.COM]

Fred,    

   I was disappointed to find that under the rules published in the Spring 
Laser Sailor, the Masters GP for 2000 did not begin officially until June 1, 
aparrently excluding the Clearwater Midwinter Masters (listed in the winter 
issue as a GP event) from the 2000 Masters Grand Prix.  The Clearwater 
Masters Midwinters should be included in the 2000 GP scoring.

   Lets recognize the legitimacy of  Masters sailing in the Radial class.  
There's no constructive justification for not publishing a Masters Radial 
Grand Prix.  This would include any masters GP events where a Radial class 
was included, i.e. this years North American Radial Masters at Cascade Locks, 
 The rationale for not recognizing  Masters who sail in a sanctioned Radial 
class in a Masters GP event, escapes me.  We're paying the same dues but we 
don"t get the equivelent benefits.  I'm increasingly sailing Radial because 
at 143 pounds and 5' 7"  my upwind speed is just not competitive with the 
bigger guys.  If the NA region of the ILCA recognized the legimacy of Masters 
divisions and age group handicapping in the Radial fleet, as is done in full 
rig Lasers, I expect that participation would grow and the Laser class as a 
whole would benefit.    

   Requiring a minimum participation in two Masters GP events for a rating, 
like the non recognition of Masters sailing Radials,  only limits the fun and 
broad interest  which are the strengths of  the Grand Prix idea.   If one 
earns GP points in a single event, those points should be published.

   Recommend that the Jack Swenson Florida Masters and the Masters Midwinters 
East both be included in the Masters Grand Prix for 2001.   After all, Jack 
was Masters sailing personified.

                        Respectfully,
                         Jim Christopher  
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