Mates: This thread came up a short time ago over on the Catalina list on another network regarding why more folks don't race their boats. The overwhelming reason, in my opinion, is that is too intimidating with all the rules and the confusion at the starting line and the traffic around the turning marks and no one wants to take the time to teach the newcomers. How did I come to that conclusion - I've been there myself. With that thought in mind, my YC is sponsoring an "all gal" team to compete in the Newport to Ensenada race next April. They were having trouble getting gals to sign up. I felt I knew the answer why and offered to do a free sail trim seminar to help eliminate some of the intimidation factor, at least on the sail trim aspect, for any potential crew members. Well, they took me up on it and yesterday I did the seminar for 6 of the most enthusiastic ladies I've ever encounter. What a trip it was!! They were so enthusiastic and eager to understand sail trim that I wasn't able to finish the entire lesson plan. I only was able to complete 3/4 of the program. They asked questions, they wanted to see the demonstrations again and again especially about the section on telltails. The first 20 minutes is always confusing but once the sail trim light went on these gals were really grasping it. They were so into it they caught me a couple of times when I made a contradictory statement so I had to really wake up. I've done these presentations so many time that I almost do it in my sleep but I made a statement about power and flat sails and they jumped right on it - there knew there ain't no power in a flat sail. I had a time getting out of that one but I was wide awake after that. Today, they were racing in a club race and I can't wait to hear how they made out. What really made my day yesterday was I overhead one of the gals from the class talking to another racer and asking him to describe for her the difference between draft depth (belly) and draft position and what controls are used to adjust both elements. Later she said to me " did you hear that damm answer. He is confusing both items and also using the wrong controls". Needles to say, I had a very enjoyable ride home as I felt I accomplished what I set out to do. My goal is that no one should have to go through what I did in order to learn how to sail a silly sailboat.