Open Meetings, No Club Racing

At Hunts we usually have our open meetings either as part of club racing (but with their own start) or on a day when there is not usually club racing (Saturday).

We used to close the water, but not for a decade or more. Either they use a Saturday, muck in with club racing (5 mins earlier/later) or both. Makes the club far more vibrant on the shore to have club members around - a much better ad for the club and for the class if each sees the other.

Not sure why the Firefly class isn't getting better turnouts for these types of events, seeing as there are loads out there doing club racing or team racing. Mind, I've not been to a Firefly event for several years myself. Out of the habit, I guess, and with Lightnings, Minisails and club stuff, hard to find the time or energy. Must be similar for others.

We joined in the back of the Snipe Open we held recently and our two Snipes times were extracted into the club results very pleasant it was too, watching how the top Snipe guys tactical approach to the tidal situation (only one got it right and I'm not entirely sure he planned it )

We'd like more Opens, this one was due to their water getting unexpectedly closed (Blue Circle), It would be nice for instance to see the Contenders, or we wondered about staging an ad hoc Laser Open, not sure how well that might go down.

But whatever we do, we'd accommodate our own racing, then we do have a fair bit of room if not resources.

Edited by iGRF - 07 Oct 14 at 6:51pm

It must be frustrating to have them scheduled so close together, such that you can hardly get afloat for a month.  At least I have the tides as an excuse when I schedule events on the river; Chew must just be going with the classes desires.

Good point Jim. I think its excellent that Chew hosts events like these - it just gets frustrating when there is no sailing (and I can't make the one week when there is sailing). Especially as I have new boat I want to play with!