A well written point of view from Bob fisher, a regular contributor to Sail-World. It is good to see that many people are still getting their views on this issue published and out in front of the sailing community.
http:/
These are definitely the best pix from China I have seen. And almost the only ones. I never could catch even one cat race video live. Is there a dark purpose here? Perhaps the Olympic authorities did not WANT anybody to see these exciting races and pix?
The best event we have left is the Alter Cup. If U.S. Sailing does not expand the competition at this event, I will not rejoin.
Expand the competition in what way?
Let me in!
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Just kidding.
But wouldn't it be great if some deep pocket (they don't exist, I know, but go with it) manufacturer would put up 20-30 brand new boats, so there wouldn't have to be the constant stopping to swap boats, and just run about 20 races over a long weekend or M-F or something, then sell the boats after, all at a tidy profit of course.
Hey, it's my dream, let me sleep!
I know, I know, it won't ever happen because no manufacturer is going to pony up that many boats, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to sell them all after the event...
While we are on Fantasy Island... we get to keep the boats after the event just because it's the AC, and all expenses are paid and of course the venue will be a clothing optional beach.
Dingram for President!
It's not too late to write him in!! <img src=
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I was lucky enough to have an Argentinean cable sports channel available. They covered the entire medal race because Santi Lange was fighting for a medal - and got a bronze one.
The wind was certainly stronger than 12 kts. Conditions were similar to those where all 49ers flipped or broke, so I guess the wind was almost 20 kts. Great coverage with relevant or good comments from the Argentinean reporter following on a RIB, probably with the team coach nearby. According to Sailing Anarchy, the Stars afterward were an insult to the audience. We should use those tapes for political marketing, if available.
Ncik, Yes, I was aware of that, so why don't they do it with 30 new Tigers for the Alter Cup?
I believe the cat has been edged out because of it popularity. Mono is the dying class and remember, it is always darkest before the dawn. The Olympics leave themselves in danger of being outdated and relegated to
old style
sailing.
One does well to remember that the
freestyle
swim event did not exist in the earlier Olympics of last century because it had not been invented yet.
Surely now the latest style invented is the premier swim event.
No multis in the Olympics......this will become a documentary of corruption and back room shenanigans.
Because the sales discount (they are
used
boats after the event) is built into the budget for the event.
A Tiger goes for about $17K now. A 20% sales discount would be $3,400 per boat. Times 30 is well over $100,000. When the Alter Cup can afford those numbers, Hobie Cat will provide the boats.
BTW, Hobie Cat did provide Tigers (twice) for the Alter Cup.
Shoot for the year the US hosts the F18 worlds..
Hobie can provide new boats for the Alter. Charter them out for the worlds to cover much of the depreciation and then sell them at the
discounted rate
.
Hobie can provide new boats for the Alter. Charter them out for the worlds to cover much of the depreciation and then sell them at the
discounted rate
.
That's exactly what was done for the 2005 Tiger Worlds / 2005 Alter Cup.
Sweet, so Matt, do you think you can talk them into doing it again with the New Tiger?
How about the new F-18 that is coming soon.That would be a great way to promote the new boat.
As someone that has sold quite a few chartered boats at both Hobie Nationals and Worlds it would be helpful if people stopped spreading the(false) rumor that,
Once it's been sailed for a week in that event it's got about two years of use on it.
I hear that one every time I try to sell a chartered boat that's in basically brand new condition.
I've bought Tigers and H16's and chartered them out myself and it usually doesn't work out financially--at least for the dealers.
Jeremy's right, both about the stoopit rumor regarding chartered boats and about the financial aftermath. In the case of the Alter Cup, the event has survived due to two things; the dedication of volunteers and the staggeringly generous support of manufacturers and dealers. The Alter Cup is NOT a money-making prospect for the industry; the sailors are the sole beneficiaries - every year, 10 new boats are pumped into the fleet at a very reasonable price. I find that the week-long shake-down by top sailors and the attendant close attention from a factory-designated representative (your friendly beach captian) delivers a boat to a new owner in race-ready condition. For many years, buyers were waiting at the top of the ramp to take possesion after the last race of the series. Things have slowed a bit in the last couple of years, which has emphasized what a fantastic investment Hobie Cat USA, Performance Catamarans, Mystere, Vectorworks Marine, and Fun in the Sun (US distributer for AHPC) have made in supporting catamaran racing in the US.
It is great to suggest that Hobie throw a double handful of boats at an event like the Alter Cup - but the math just doesn't add up. We've been lucky and fortunate in postponing the inevitable truth that the Alter Cup may have to finally change in a fundamental way that many may not like.
[/hijack]
what is the boat for 2009 Alter Cup?
spin equipped getaways
spin equipped getaways
You won't believe how close you are once you find out what's in the works.
J
spin equipped getaways
You won't believe how close you are once you find out what's in the works.
J
Rick White modified Waves?!?!
20 new Waves with 20 -Hooters Girls- sailing them, at a Clothing Optional beach, and pray for big wind so they need crew! <img src=
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Twixxy or Advance then, eh?
I'm sure the Alter Cup committee will make an announcement soon *nudge nudge*. Keep in mind that there are always those that are excited about the boat to be featured, and those who are not. But every year, no matter what, there is a strong fleet of competitors that try to qualify. I think the committee will continue the recent tradition of giving US sailors a chance to compete on an even field on a boat they probably haven't ever sailed before. <img src=
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And that is the true test of a sailors skill.
So the Alter Cup should test the sailors at the same time as build the fleet, right?
I guess they do this by selecting a boat with
neat-o
factor, but one that could be sailed and raced by the average team (and bonus points if it appeals to co-ed teams)?
Are there a lot of competitive female or co-ed teams in the 16 foot range? I know there are a good bit in the 18 foot range, but not too many in the 20 foot range..
Where do the 420 sailors go when they 'graduate'?
I guess they do this by selecting a boat with
neat-o
factor, but one that could be sailed and raced by the average team (and bonus points if it appeals to co-ed teams)?
Are there a lot of competitive female or co-ed teams in the 16 foot range? I know there are a good bit in the 18 foot range, but not too many in the 20 foot range..
Where do the 420 sailors go when they 'graduate'?
2008 Hobie 16 & 14 North American Championships Registration:
Hobie 16 Open
Skippers Name HCA # Crew Name HCA # Insurance Binder Home Location
1 Mick Minette 4433 Mike Pruchnicki 4535 Iowa
2 Chris Wessels 3931-1 Iowa
3 Herb James 3545 Sharon 3545 Yes New York
4 Roger Hensler 238 Pat H.
Wild Women
238 Yes Arizona
5 Bob Merrick 3825-1 Eliza Cleveland 3825-2 Conneticut
6 Rich Arneson 2025 John Hilton Yes Washington
7 Jim Glanden 874 Viki Ulibarri Delaware/B.C.
8 Jerry Mohney 621 Lori Mohney 621A Michigan
9 Karen-Ann Xavier 3305 Phil Charbonneau Yes Ontario
10 Rick Quatrone 2532 Bridget Quatrone 2532 Yes New York
11 Rich McVeigh 554 Diane Bisesi 1071 Maryland
12 David Heroux 2304 Barbara Powers 2304 Yes Rhode Island
13 Matt Bounds 421 Chris Bradshaw Michigan
14 Bill Kast 1253
15 Slim Johnson 1632 Kristin King 11291-1 Yes Minnesota
16 Jim Fisher California
17 William Jeffers 1120-1 Yes New York
18 Francisco Figueroa 3941 Puerto Rico
19 Rob Jerry 504 New York
20 Randy Payne 1631 Yes New Jersey
21 Paul Bommersbach 3903 Alex Bommersbach Yes South Dakota
22 Wally Myers 691 Kelly Kruger New Jersey
23 Greg Raybon 515 Carol Hilk Yes New Jersey/Delaware
24 Eric Raybon 515 Jason Bilow Yes New Jersey
25 Kevin Smith 4626 Keri Romanufa 4627-1 Yes Ontario
26 Andy Larson Alex Larson Iowa
27 Roger Taha 1386-1 Kelly? Iowa
28 Dennis Brewer 11292-1 Steve Brewer 10158-1 Yes Minnesota
29 Mike Montague 521 Kathy Ward 1830 California
30 Mark Modderman 4356-1 Gladice Romero New Jersey
31 Gary Russell 2803 Midori Arakawa
32 Paul Hess 486 Mary Ann 486 California
33 Deb Olsen 3744 Colorado
34 Patrick Porter 448-1 Darcy Porter California
35 Jeff Newsome 801 Michelle Eatough 801 California
36 Mike Madge 3600 Up North
37 Stephen Cooley 3789-1 Colorado
38 Tom Avery 3897 daughter
38 Karl Brogger 4573 Minnesota
39 Jim Perkins 1315 New York
40 Gordon Bagley 4005 Nicholas Perez Nevada
41 Max Hinneberg 2193 Colorado
42 Jim Sajdak 690 California
43 Jim Sohn 1607 Becky Shrews Iowa
44 Rafi Yahalom 0309-1 California
45 Ken Nelson 3158 California
46 Ken Hilk 3235 Sandra T Delaware
47 Armando Noriega Jr. Rodtigo Achach Mexico
48 Pamela Noriega Carlos Noriega 2139-1 Mexico
49 Pedro Colon 1766 Puerto Rico
50 Xavier Castillo Guatemala
51 Pedro Luis Fernandez Guatemala
52 Jason Hess Guatemala
53 Steve Leo 254 Jane Hunter California
54 Craig Parson 1694 Jon Mcllrath
Mac
New Jersey
Of the 31 teams listing a crew, 26 have either a female crew, or in two cases a female skipper with a male crew.
Mixed teams are the norm on Hobie 16's.
Matt, you'll have to excuse Bug he doesn't get out much these days.
Revise that to ... .AT ALL <img src=
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Okay, so what about the F16 class? 50% co-ed teams there, too? The F16 seems to have a bit more
neat-o
factor than the H16, possibly because it's newer?