It is unfortunate that the Tiger NA's were cancelled due to the lack of participation. That makes two years running without a Tiger North American championship. In 2005 the top US finisher at the Worlds in Santa Barbara was crowned champion and now 2006 is cancelled. Is the Tiger class now relegated to the F18 NA's only? I agree with Bob that the Tiger class should put something on the schedule and soon.
It's not the Bay Area venue or the StFYC. I've raced in the Bay Area for many, many years and enjoyed it. Yes, the conditions to some may be "sporty" but the Tiger can handle it no problem. The boat was designed for the higher wind conditions of Europe. Even Jacques admitted after the Cangas Worlds that he and Greg need to work on their heavy air sailing. Can't really do that in SoCal unless your storm sailing during the winter months.
I feel the lack of participation is due to the timing of the event. Right after the Cangas Worlds and before the F18 NA's. I concur with Olli that a lot more eastern teams would attend if the event wasn't scheduled in the middle of our already short sailing season here in the midwest and northeast. Other reasons include the time committment to drive cross-country, fuel costs and the availablity of charter boats. I've always been a proponent of having the NA's in the fall. Maybe that would work better in the future.
At least the 17's will be racing and Matt will have fat-boy wind. Good luck in your title defense Matt.
John Bauldry
Hobie Tiger #1704