Great British Sailing Challenge

I'm sure it will be deemed a success - irrespective of what is said on here.

But hey, you know what.... there's really nothing wrong with a few noddy classes jumping on the bandwagon of some spreadsheet racing and getting Mel and Sue to present the prizes if it makes them feel all fluffy.

But presenting it as the Great British Sailing Challenge is rather pretentious, given most folks acknowledge the limitations of the sporting context that is handicap racing.  (Sorry dicking around with the numbers and a couple of GPS tracks won't change that... ever.)

All that will happen is the industry and semi-pro sailors will feel obliged to enter as part of their marketing campaigns, thus further depleting their engagement in proper class regattas and the classes which provide the critical mass.  I think that's a shame- one the beautiful things about going to a proper class event is racing on the same patch of water against folks far more skilled than most of us could ever be; I know I certainly don't like or welcome a spreadsheet blurring that sensation personally. 

I can't imagine for one minute someone good enough at sailboat racing to get free sails, or even more competent than that, who is cutting the damn things for a living; honestly believes any hype around handicap racing.... perhaps I'm wrong. 

So here's my Great British Sailing Challenge - find a cheap Laser, all in less than say, £2k - integrity rules.  Send 'em all off at the same time anti-clockwise around the IoW - no f**king around with handicaps.   Let's really have a challenge if you're going to use such a grand moniker!   

Fervent belief that the the next best thing would slightly better or slightly more suited than the one before maybe....  bottom line for me is that handicap racing was the real problem, it's just not the same sport I grew up with as a kid in Oppies, Toppers, Lasers etc.   And I didn't have the time or commitment necessary to travel to sail something sexier- (nod towards OK, Contender, RS300 and Musto circuits there... still all very aspirational for one day)

My last boat decision was simple D-Zero in handicap fleet (very nice boat) or Laser and proper club racing.... I choose the Laser and don't regret that decision.  

I now don't have a dog in this... I rent boats off sunny beaches these days in between other water sports - and whilst I miss dinghy racing, I don't miss some of the b**locks that goes with it whilst I'm still working full time.  

I would however add, if the future of dinghy sailing is handicap racing only, then I can't see myself bothering to return to it if and when I do live back in the UK again.  One of the draws of retirement or semi-retirement ought to be the free time to travel to nice places and do some proper sailboat racing, and why not share regattas with like-minded classes?  I've no problem with that at all if the races are separate .... but if all that's on offer is more handicap racing, then bugger that, it just won't be worth the reinvestment of time and money- especially given the ludicrous pricing most 'new' boats now seem to be.