Can we finally get the Intensity sails authorized by the class? I don't know of a single person who really believes that the current options are not designed strictly to extract teh maximum possible dollars from us.
This about sums it up:
The market is shouting its approval of equal or better products at lower prices. And the shout is increasing in intensity. (Pun intended.) Intensity sails will be seen more and more at bigger regattas. Is anyone going to complain that those of us in the middle (I wish) to the back of the pack are using them? Will we be asked to leave? (So far, I have been non-confrontational and have used my North sail at Regattas, even though I might do better with a newer Intensity.) Does anyone really think that the $180 sail has an advantage over the $563 sail? I think the only advantage is a new sail versus an old sail. If we could buy sails for $180, everyone would be more likely to have a new sail, and therefore a more level playing field. The rules say buying a $180 sail instead of a $563 sail is cheating, but common sense and the marketplace know that FAIRNESS is not the operative concept here.
Nothing will change. This is Vanguard's party, and they are going to make sure that they bleed everyone dry. They only see $s when they look at the class. Fuck them, go sail something else. There are plenty of good boats and classes out there.