I think everyone would agree that sailors primary focus will be their OD NAs.
Agreed.
So.. Would you attend a second
national
championship (3-4 days over a weekend) in your OD class.
I would not attend a second national championship, that doesn't make sense. But, if the championship offered a completely different format that isn't currently available at our weekend regattas and national championships I would attend. For example, if the format is match racing, team racing or the prior Alter Cup Championship format I would be very interested in attending that event (assuming I qualified). The good thing about a team racing championship is it could easily support a BYOB format and would NOT require formulas to be applied.
The concern is that the Host of the NA's will get pissed at another national event sucking off sailors who opt for the closer drive of the two regattas.
(The answer could really depend on the OD class you are talking about as well)
I wouldn't view a DPN/SCHRS regatta as a distraction to our National/North American Championship. Those local to the DPN/SCHRS regatta would probably use the regatta the same way the teams at Carnac used the regatta, as a tune up event. In the end the number of teams lost to the DPN/SCHRS championship would probably only be a handful and it wouldn't be enough to get in a twist about, IMO.
If you have a BYOB event, what prevents retaining the older format?
Alternating fleet races allows time to return to the beach, make repairs, tune etc. You just don't have the craziness of switching boats.
I am all for a Team Race event... we've actually been having discussions about trying to make one happen on the Charles River (awesome amphitheater for sailing!). Would probably run the event out of the MIT sailing pavilion, but launching is an issue. Spent all weekend umpiring the NEISA team race championships- heck of a regatta with the top three teams ending the event tied at 13-6 after two days of racing!
Here's a question. Who the hell wants to deal wither the hassle of having an extra 200 boats on the water that you aren't racing against.
Good point.... much better to have a race of one boat... Saves on the scorekeeper!
I think the same thing 50 boats is plenty to race against. When the fleets get to 100 they split them up anyways as A and B fleets. It seams the more boats the less racing you get. I remember going to the Mega and it was fun but little racing and long lines and lots of waiting and a lot of money. I guess you can tell I am getting old and set in my ways.
Bit of a **** storm shaping up over here: http:/
Some complaints about organization as well as an interesting contribution from Bundy. [post #1745 page 70]
Sh!t fight is over stating it a bit Pete. Looks like the typical post event complaints you get from a large handicap regatta to me. I'm confident an overwhelming majority enjoyed the event and accepted it for what it was.
Helen's article was interesting.
Some serious handicap BS and a very thick layer of manufacturer generated fluff. Everyone will walk out of this with a different view I am sure. You cannot look at a class or results and see squat. Heavy boats like the Viper are running their own handicap, playing the ratings game. Put team drivers on them like Bundy and then continue to spout off about being the best – give it a break.
With that many people at an established event like this, I am sure it was blast even if they got skunked on weather.
With that many people at an established event like this, I am sure it was blast even if they got skunked on weather.
Mini, I'm in 100% agreement and your observations come across loud and clear even through the internet but this is nothing new for large events and it really is part of game which is one my biggest complaints with handicap events. The amount of unsubstantiated boasting that goes on is a real turn off for those that can see through it. Helen's article should really read: The help did exactly what we paid him to do but we're going to claim it was the equipment.
Yes, it is a pitty that the boats used different ratings, however the boys and gals on the water know what they real story is. The rest is just PR fluff.
For the buoy racing line honours are more difficult to tell. For some races it didn't matter, but for our 333 youth team, on one race they lost 5 places because of the rating.
For the raid it is a different story.
First Falcon finished just below 2 hours (less than a minute behind Bundy) and clearly 3rd F16, beating the Nacra's and most of the Vipers were some very talented sailors where placed on. Our Swiss team finished in front of Chris&Georgina and the Cirrus Q but ended up 19th, the Cirrus 10th... So here the rating has a bigger effect.
Overall very good performance of all the Falcons there, showing weekend racers can mix it up with the pro's.
Buoy racing results: http:/
Long distance results: http:/
Regards,
Gill
You can see these belgian boys in the following youtube video.
http:/
They are coached by Sebastian Godefroid and they show fine form. Note how far off Bundy they were, or rather how NOT far off they were. I guess this is the team to watch for at the next F16 Europeans / worlds
I was really responding to Dave Lennard. It hadn't occurred to me that bigger isn't necessarily better.
I am curious about this Raid thingey. What's that all about?
We are trying a distance race in San Fran Bay this weekend With the San Francisco Yacht Club. Saturday racing on bouys and then a
Tour the Bay
event on Sunday. F-18 and A-cat and 18 skiffs. Kind of a short Raid.