10-16-00
OPEN LETTER TO MULTIHULL SAILORS

October 16, 2000

Dear Multihull Sailors:

First, I would like to thank all of you that came to New Orleans for our Annual General Meeting. You are what make US SAILING work as an organization. We were able to set a course this time for our children that will have long lasting ramifications. It was incredible to watch PU, Steve Leo, Jamie Diamond and a few others put their heads together and come up with a venue for Multihull children to qualify for ISAF and the French Youth World Championships. All with no notice this would happen this year. It was expected we would have this opportunity for ISAF ready to go in 2002. Way to go, guys!!!

As we have been very adamant about our kids sailing in ISAF and JO events, it is now up to all Multihull fleets and organizations to provide sailors to our event. OK, this is it. Now is the time to get any kid under 19 who can sail a Hobie 16 ready for the qualifier at Hartwell, Georgia, April
13-15. We plan to have an open event so kids can bring their own boat or charter a boat at the site.

Here are the specifics:

·        Any child can sail in this event if he or she will be less than 19 in year 2001.

·        Hobie 16 will be the boat of choice. You can bring your own or charter, if necessary.

·        Qualifier will take place April 13-15, 2001, at Hartwell, Georgia.

·        Winners will qualify for 2001 ISAF World Championships in France.

·        Winners will become members of the US SAILING Youth Sailing Team.

·        Winners receive advanced coaching provided by US SAILING prior to leaving for France.

·        Fleets should consider sending qualified sailors and help with financial aid. Let’s remember these are kids and they don’t have money. They need your help to get to Hartwell, Georgia. Housing and transportation to and from the airport will be provided.

·        Sailing instructions and Notice of Race will be available soon. Contact me for copies. They will also be posted on our website.

·        Funding for the trip to France will be partly covered by US SAILING. We will need to cover a small portion to see that our kids get there. That race is July 2-12.

So, here we are at a crossroads. Its time to show the United States our kids can sail our kind of boat. I can tell you there are those that think we will fail. Let’s not give them the satisfaction. This is the clear path we have been asking for to ISAF and possibly Olympic sailing.

On the Council side of the house, click here for the minutes of our meetings which were given to the US SAILING Board of Directors on Sunday for your reference. We had three action items, two of which where passed. The first was $4,500 for our Alter Cup to be taken from the Hoyt/Jolley fund and second was approval of the new Multihull Committee. The third item was tabled until the Youth Championship Committee can contact the organizers of the 2001 National Junior Olympic Championships. The event will take place in June at Annapolis, Maryland. We very strongly recommended our children have equal opportunities within the Junior Olympic sailing structure.
I hope they were listening.

I will be putting together a schedule for Fast and Fun next month in November. Several organizations have asked us to participate with them next year. If your group wants us, now is the time to ask.  Again we only have just so much money and lots of places to go. Don’t be left out and, remember, if you can help financially this will be considered a major plus.   We have committed to Nigel Pitt to attend the youth qualifier two days before the event on April 11&12.

Thanks to everyone for your help this past year. Special thanks to Rick and Mary of Cat Sailor Magazine, Ron and Shirley Palmer of NACHA News and Charles Chiodi of Multihulls Magazine for your generous participation in our various undertakings. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Hobie Cat Corporation and Mistral Corporation are big supporters and deserve big thanks.

Best Regards,

Art Stevens
Chairman, US SAILING Multihull Council