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Nationals Attendances |
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iiiiticki
Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 Mar 16 Location: Derbyshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 206 |
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Topic: Nationals Attendances Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 12:03pm |
If you look at the more successfull traveling classes with no Olympic/world stardom ambitions they are usually populated by those past child rearing responsibilities. Take Solo or Supernova for instance. Freedom and comparative wealth are important factors. Enthusiastim within clubs is also an important factor particularly if someone within that club is successful in a particular class.
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 12:21pm |
Faster boats need more time invested to sail competently, but the people sailing them have less spare time = lower turnouts. I think both designers ans sailors underestimate this. People buy a fast 'race' boat, aiming to practice over the winter and do the open / nationals next year. But then fail to get out as much and decide to put off competition for another year. Classes where you can hop in and get in round a race course after a couple of weekends practice don't suffer this problem. I think people also over egg how competitive nationals are or should be. Outside of the olympic classes there's no need to be doing 3/4 race days. Don't get me wrong, the quality and standard of racing should be high; but it shouldn't crush the soul out of the holiday. We are doing this for fun after all. It's worth noting that although the Merlins had a poor nationals turnout, they still sell out Merlin week. The RS200's have got 40+ boats to Fed Week (Chichester Harbour Race Week) for many years too. The numbers are down at the overseas 'eurocups' but I think that is more down to financials than event setup. Edited by mozzy - 11 Sep 17 at 12:22pm |
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 4:18pm |
Re the solo Graeme - you've clearly never sailed one. They are great fun, speed is relative and I haven't found a more comfortable hiking boat (esp for dodgy knees!). I was just too fat for them inland and in predominantly light wind.
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Dougaldog
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Nov 10 Location: hamble Online Status: Offline Posts: 356 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 5:04pm |
Actually the iGRF has asked the right question (though probably for the wrong reasons). In highlighting classes that are clearly working well, he is showing that the doom and gloom is not spread equally across the sport 'here in the UK'. Maybe there are lessons to be learned from these classes; Mozzy also made a good point! The Solo isn't a hard boat to sail, but a hard boat to sail well, ditto the GP14 and others of those so called more 'traditional'
classes. yet more good dialogue about an important topic. D
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Dougal H
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iGRF
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 5:27pm |
I have so... I'm still in therapy. There was a Spider in it, and as I was remonstrating with it, as it clearly tried to bale out presumably because it was unhappy, looking to chuck itself overboard, it put me off my normal genius helming technique and there was a nasty crash which resulted in the side of the unfortunate Solo being mounted by a not entirely in control Streaker being gusted, which resulted in the starboard gunwhale being stoved in and I very nearly got a splinter as well as breaking a nail. What's worse I very nearly was forced to buy it, since it was a try before you buy sale and would have meant the Solution and I would never have met. Nothing about the Solo is nice, I took a picture once of a Solo and Solution side by side they have similar dimensions and sail size, yet there the similarity ends, chalk and very rotten cheese. Edited by iGRF - 11 Sep 17 at 5:32pm |
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Bootscooter
Really should get out more Joined: 15 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 5:58pm |
Well along with the Phantoms at Highcliffe there was an 18-strong fleet of Europes out in the wind and waves. This signified an increase of 50% from last year and the largest since 2011 in what has always been a modestly sized class in the UK. I've started a thread on the Class Facebook page to try and find out what made people decide to go this year, and will report back. I've got some ideas myself as to why this is, but will wait to hear from the sailors....
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423zero
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 6:08pm |
GP14's and Solo's, comfortable in all winds, ageing sailors, probably one of the main reasons for upsurge.
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rich96
Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 12 Sep 17 at 7:49am |
Great to see the Phantom resurgence
Lots of new boats and very good sailors in the fleet For an old design, albeit with lots of upgrades over the years, it still makes many new designs look slow whilst remaining very sailable For the larger helm the Finn and Phantom still have no real competition as single handers. |
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KazRob
Far too distracted from work Joined: 22 Oct 16 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 245 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 12 Sep 17 at 12:37pm |
I'd disagree - as the OK fills that slot nicely too. Classy to sail with the new carbon rigs and modern FRP hulls - a bit like a Finn but without the grunt on and off the water and the advantage of good overseas fleets to go and visit. The cockpit looks small but it's deep and easily big enough for those of us taller and heavier than most. I'm 6'2" and +100kgs tbh but seem to go fine in all conditions and the boat fits me like a glove. I know it's a blatant class plug but they are honestly so under-rated |
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OK 2249
D-1 138 |
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JohnJack
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Mar 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 246 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 12 Sep 17 at 1:40pm |
As said the GP's and Solo's are easy boats to sail, relatively well matched, you are more likely to get a good race with someone. Since joining the Solo fleet mid this year, we have three of us at my club who are very closely matched (equally as bad) and nearly every club race we have at least have a dozen place changes between us. That's far more engaging than going fast then falling in. They are also good all rounders, decent on the sea, decent on even the really small lakes and river clubs and like the Lasers, they have numbers so despite the fact the club only does handicap, we have our own little fleet race within that
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