Would money prizes be good or bad for the sport?

When ever have I been taken seriously? I think really they should just put a brand new boat for first top of the line from whoever puts the show on get sponsors to pay for it or 1 million dollars! You get the same uuhh's and aahh's.

So-- Who has access to a model RC helicopter with a digital video camera on it, and a big tank of glow fuel?

There's an autonomous model helicopter with a digital camera linked to the ground station via radio in the next cubicle. I don't think I can borrow it, however. $$

Sorta like this?:

Australian Skiff scene.......

Skiff clubs a decked out with pokies, water views, restraunts, bars...... People from sailors to old salties to non sailors come to the club for a feed, a few drinks and put some money through the pokies whilst watching the on the water action.

By law, in Australia a club must return a certain % of funds generated through the pokies back to the sport the club is built around. Most Skiff clubs will pay their sailors both starting money, finishing money and there are cash prizes based on both line honours and handicap. This makes the sailing more afordable = more sailors on the water = more people visiting the club. I have heard that starting and finishing money is enough at some clubs to pay off a new boat every 3 to 4 years.

Some other skiff clubs spend some off the money on junior development programs whilst other clubs supply boats and have marketing people empolyed by the club to find sponsors for boats.

The Yarra Bay 16 Skiff Club in Sydney is now offering Catamaran sailors $100 for a Yardstick win every first week of the month with the remaing 3 weeks the winner on personal handicap walks away with the $100. Not big $$$$$ but is the first time I know off where Cats have been offered the $$$$$. Only a new concept for them so we will wait and see how it goes.

What exactly is a "pokie"?

Mary,
The One Armed Bandit or Poker Machine may be know to you by the term slot machine.

Regards,
Phill