The Paradoxes of Masters Regattas

Events that specifically serve older sailors – Masters Regattas – are popular with one design classes. They level the playing field for people that may have lost a step and provide common ground at social events.

Pietro Fantoni is a passionate sailing enthusiast, and the Snipe Class is lucky to have him. In this report, he discusses a proposed Masters rule change being considered by the class:

Sometimes, to properly frame the subject of a proposal, it can be useful to look at things from a certain distance or a certain height, moving beyond the specific technical reasons behind the motion itself. Master Worlds and Master regattas in general are a unicum within the Snipe Class.

To understand them, I will highlight a few contradictions — some perhaps provocative, others perhaps uncomfortable for some to hear. Yet, it is through these contradictions that we can truly grasp the peculiarities, the strengths, and the flaws of Master regattas. – Full report