Thursday night

Thursday night was the International 505 Class's annual membership meeting. These meetings are always held at the World Championships so as to get as many members together as possible. Some topics that were discussed:

• Class president Pip Pearson led off the meeting with a proposal that the boat should be made simplier. He didn't outline any specifics, but this was more or less a challenge to the class. I believe his basis is that the boat is too complicated for newbies and also too expensive. It's unclear what'll become of this proposal, but it has already started some discussions among sailors. Friday in the dinghy park, some ideas were being thrown around that focused on attaching a fixed spinnaker pole to the bow so as to have an asymmetric kite (i.e., no poles, etc.).
  
• An update for the 2009 regatta at San Francisco was made. It'll be windy.
• The 2011 site was selected, with Hamilton Island, Australia beating out Thailand. Both venues would be awesome, but Australia I think is more family friendly.
• An Aussie is overhauling the International class website. I'm pleased.

Following dinner, we went over to Mondello proper for some food. I had a grilled squid. Good times, but a bit touristy.