Rather than weigh down the Hotline thread with possible negativity and debate, I figured I'd start a new one.
Decisions about how to structure the invitations to the fleet for the 2008 Alter Cup will be made soon, I'm sure. Jake is building a Committee that I imagine will include a cross-section of sailors, and all the ideas submitted before the November USSA meeting (and since, for that matter) will get fair consideration. I'm somewhat relieved that Jake is now in the driver's seat - it is easier to maintain the status quo, and I already had shot my wad on getting the new Chris Stater/Swiss League rotation system enstated over the old rotation system. I only mentioned the method of fleet selection because Bob's report from the meeting could be taken the wrong way - that Greg Thomas' proposal would benefit Hobie Classes over others.
As for Area participation - people go or don't go for a number of reasons. I hear the 'I won't win, so why go?' thing often and I don't really understand it. It would be foolish to deny people feel that way, and disrespectful to declare the sentiment silly... so how to deal with it? Mark Schneider and I talked about this for over an hour without any real resolution.
In Area D, I have found that the regatta draws a decent-sized fleet if you do the basic things that make any regatta successful: pick a good venue, have good race management, pick a date that has a good chance for decent weather, get the word out. The membership thing has been easy to address - I tell people what they get with membership in USSA and I try to have some free stuff to pass out. This year, it was just course stickers, but I have had lots of free stuff from USSA in the past - hats, shirts, stickers, luggage tags, Sailkote, etc. Depends on what I can get my hands on throughout the year.
All I can say is that the Area Rep has a very hard job in putting on a meaningful event. It isn't something that can be crabbed together at the last minute if you want to put boats on the line. I just try to make it something I would really want to sail in - something I would drive for. That is one reason that the Area D event moves around every year, will always be on the same weekend year-to-year, and will always be a two day regatta.
The size of the USSA Areas is problematic - sure. Like John pointed out, the event might be 14 hours away, or farther. Contact your rep and ask them to move it around more, but be prepared to offer suggestions. Also, you are allowed to sail out of your Area if another event is closer or if you have a scheduling conflict. I'm actively seeking venues throughout the SE all the time... I have three possible venues for this year - it feels great to have to choose!
Anyway - I sailed in my Qualifier for the first time in five years or so this year. As Chair of the Cup, it would have been unseemly (IMO) to have competed during my tenure. But now that I'm out of that position, I wouldn't miss the Qualifier for anything - I knew there was no way I was winning the slot, but I don't go to regattas for the sole reason of getting a trophy.
I think there are sailors out there (me included) that are very intimidated when faced with sharing a starting line and race course with some of the
rock stars
that are out there. The qualifying event this past year was in my back yard but I elected not to attend, not for the reason that I would not win, but because I felt that until I get more experience, I do not need to be mixing it up with others on a race course where the outcome is more significant than just a trophy at the end of the weekend. Next year though, look out, I'll be there for sure!!!!!
It's interesting to hear people are concerned about messing up a
Rock Star
You won't.
Know the basic rules on the start line. No barging or reaching down the front of the line.
Know port and starboard and be conservative.
The good guys will recognize very quickly how experienced you are and will usually talk you through a tight situation and then talk to you later about what happened on the beach.
The guys that yell at you are probably no better than you and if they are don't deserve to win anyway.(IMO)
The sad part is you will learn more at a big weekend event or a Nationals then you ever will sailing by yourself. I was told long ago, spending one week at a Nationals is like another whole year of experience. Just do it.
Instead of feeling intimidated, I look at it this way - I get two days of free sailing seminars. I go to school on every top-of-the-fleet team near me. Right now, as a fairly inexperienced skipper, I'm looking over the 2007 schedule and picking the toughest events in my region. Pretty soon (I hope) I will stop feeling like a speed bump and more like my goal of qualifying for the 2008 event is attainable. Either way, I'm learning at an accelerated rate by being in the middle of good sailors. Of course, Area D has always been that way - half the fleet at our event every year has already been to the Championship, and more than one have their name on the Cup. <img src=
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The other side of that is what people still call 'the Hobie Way.' The best and brightest in our sport still take the time to offer advice, help rig and tune, and discuss with utter frankness what they do to go fast. Wally helped me rig my 16 at my first 16 Continentals in Wildwood, 1993. JC, Kirk, Olli and Gordon were helping me rig at the Qualifier last November. That attitude is what has kept me sailing for 14 years. <img src=
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Ah the 93 Nationals, That was an amazing regatta. I also got to meet guys like Wally, Carlton, Jeff Alter among other people I thought of as legends.
Turns out they are all real nice guys willing to tell you how they do everything. They still kick your butt.
Try to get Wally to stop talking.
And who won the Womens 18 Worlds that year at Wildwood?
Anyway - I sailed in my Qualifier for the first time in five years or so this year. As Chair of the Cup, it would have been unseemly (IMO) to have competed during my tenure. But now that I'm out of that position, I wouldn't miss the Qualifier for anything - I knew there was no way I was winning the slot, but I don't go to regattas for the sole reason of getting a trophy.
And there you go! That's why you go to your Area qualifier.
I sure wish Area D was still split....I really think you are going to lose alot of boats if the qualifier is in my back yard, cause ya'll freakin reimplanted Floridians are scared to travel up this way! And Im not going to Florida to get beat by JC....Dingram and Karr I can handle....Let the smack begin, I got nothing better to do! Oh yeah, Kenny...I got something for you too!
D North and South remain split for the 2007 Qualifiers - and A and B are still combined. But those conditions will change in 2008 if the A/B attendance goes up and the D North attendance stays low. You hear me team Korz? All your whining about having to drive four hours will pay off if you and the rest of 204 make the 2007 event. Then Mr. Mosely and Mr. Pitt will have to drive 12 hours to make their event. <img src=
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Your avatar...is that my hat that I lost?
OK.... <img src=
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