Amateur Sailor of the Year

Originally posted by Fatboi GRF. it is a shame that your first reaction is to criticise when this is a racing award for amatures that have devoted a lot of their time I to achieving something incredible. The fact it was done with his son must be an amazing feeling and so.ethi g the whole family is incredibly proud of. I would love to sail with my nipper in the future to this level. Truly a magnificent achievement and a show that sailing can be a sport for life!

I agree, a great achievement, but in itself it already carried its reward, this clearly is a hastily thrown together clickbait scheme to benefit who? Not amateur sailors, a couple of magazines more like and there are so many other things that go on, largely unreported.

And as I said before in my rant, lots of unrewarded actions although I'm pleased to read Wing-Wang did get some recognition even if it wasn't from the Sailing community. As to competition stuff, there's a young Snipe sailor, she's won two world titles this year, but she's not part of the RYA meat grinder, so it goes un noticed. Her dad broke the round island record time at Sheppey, the Weymouth Harbour speed record has been broken this season by another amateur, - nothing and these are just things on my limited radar.

So you'll pardon me for not being impressed by more accolades being offered for folk who've already been duly rewarded, isn't that what the Endeavour is for?

Originally posted by iGRF  I agree, a great achievement, but in itself it already carried its reward

But couldn't you say the same for the people you list below? 

Originally posted by mozzy Originally posted by bustinben You seem to be suggesting that it's easy It's not at all 'easy' , it' just a different proposition coming in to a class you're a professional at with many years experience and racing against younger sailors who you're similar in stature to and who have most only had one or two years experience in the boat. There probably a handful of adults with lots of experience and being the right size (John, Jon, Steve and Ben Elvin (yourself?)).  Compare that to the 200s which Maria won. Next best female helm was in 40th. Most the top sailors are blokes, a lot of which have been top laser, 29er and 420 sailors in the past, and are now several more years experienced. Possibly Ellie Cumpsty at the Solo nationals is a more similar comparison... had she not got 3 OCS.    I wasn't commenting on the relative achievements - Maria's in the 200 is clearly more surprising/interesting, just that she's not the only female national champion.

Edited by bustinben - 17 Oct 18 at 11:24am

There were several victories in the Larks by female helms a while back. My other half was crewing in one of them. All female teams in hiking boats a particular rarity.

Do classes get "International' status in perpetuity?