This is just a thought, and may have no basis in reality. But...
Maybe mid-length distance races are one of the best ways to get new blood. Of the younger people that I have spoken to, many seem interested in distance racing more than bouys racing. It's a straightforward race, exciting, and easy to explain. And it would allow people who are just getting into the sport to
race
without knowing all the details of the rules.
Now, maybe stuff like the RTI, etc. is a bit of a big project, but anyone can get onto their cat and sail 20-40 miles up the coast/down the lake, as long as they can sail at all. Maybe our fleets should try these things, and promote them to their newest members.
Right now, it seems as if most distance races are promoted as endurance races, and rightly so. But it might be worthwhile to have some shorter, relatively safe, one-day races in each area.
I really don't think this would detract from bouys racing, but rather the reverse. If people get hooked in an informal, distance race, their first question will be
how do I get faster?
and of course the answer is bouys racing.
Another benefit: distance racing is commonly a reaching/downwind course. This means that the beginners, often on older/slower boats, with older sails, aren't at as great of a disadvantage. Bouys racing is great for learning to go upwind fast. But until they're hooked, a windward/leeward on an old H16, P16, TheMightyHobie18, etc. with ratty sails can be a very frustrating time for a beginner.
It seems as if we could draw more people into racing cats if we pushed short distance races as a
low stress
way to get into the sport.
There's also less of a RC needed, for the short races. No one to set marks, no RC boat necessary if it's a beach-start, and so on, which lets more people participate.
We've got to consider this: what can catsailing offer that other sports, even other forms of sailing, can't? Maybe some brainstorming can help us answer this question. The short distance thing has obviously occurred to other people as an answer, and I have heard similar suggestions from several people. I think it would be worth trying on a large scale.
Michael
Michael-
I agree with you here! Please see my post under the
Thought for the day
thread about just such an event I attended in Texas-
Regards,
Kirt
Kirt Simmons
Taipan #159,
A
cat US 48
Hello Michael-
I like the idea of a short distance race. One reason is that I'm old [55] at least this year I feel old. [two knee surgerys, three broken ribs, colocoscepy this year] Since I began sailing cats in the 1960s one train of thought has persisted. This is the belief by many people that catsailing is very demanding physically. As you know it can be. The idea of 100 mile races are sort of overwhelming to people that don't want to spend 20-27hours on a cat. I know when I participated in the 2001 Corsair Nationals this year I was told by a 35 yr old friend that I would die and that I should sign everything over to her before I left. I took a few pics and they can be seen at the address below. I have never had so much fun!!!!
The main point is the public can see a short didtance race start and finish in the daylight most likely. Friends of sailors can follow the process and probably won't be overwhelmed and could see themselves doing the same thing. If it looks like fun they don't mind the exercise but if it looks like
work
they already have jobs most likely and catsailing pays nothing at present.
http://photos.yahoo.com/spintaletommy
fair winds,
thom