Tough - I think

Woooaaaah there, back to reality.

The point in question is that intimidating someone just because they pi55ed you off by giving you dirty after their turns is NOT ON!

It is also explicitly against the rules.

Whether you are sailing at club, national, or international level, you not only have to sail under the same rulebook, but you also have to have respect for your fellow sailor.

And mouthing off at them because they gave you dirty is most disrespectful!!

I'm getting bored with GRF's childish attitude to rules, so my last post on the subject. I have to say too, that rule breaking is rule breaking whether you want to dress it up as "race management" or anything else your fertile imagination comes up with.

Rules make our sport possible, and without the approach - enshrined in the rules - that sailors police themselves as well as their competitors, the whole thing falls to bits. Anyone ever sailed in Germany? Rule observance there is very poor, and for me completely spoils the racing.

Final point. If you've ever chosen not to take turns, believing that no-one would protest, or shouted and intimidated a less assertive competitor when you know you're in the wrong, then you're part of the problem. Saying "lighten up, it's not a World Championship" simply doesn't cut it. If the choice is GRF or stuffed shirts, I'm for the stuffed shirts all the way

That's me done.

Neil

Originally posted by NeilP I'm for the stuffed shirts all the way That's me done. Neil

Which is precisely why you are an endangered species.

Originally posted by G.R.F And you wonder why you have problems encouraging folk to race. With that stuffed shirt attitude. Jeffers you represent exactly what's wrong with dinghy sailing. This my friend is the year 2008, that thinking might be fine in 1958. We do this in our leisure. It is supposed above all to be fun. The rules and their interpretation at Club level, are ultimately at the discretion of any Club Committe, Race Officer or Protest committee. This aint a National or European Championship we're talking about here. God Damn I so now remember why I avoided sailing with stuffed shirts all these years. "No place for levity here, this is the rules thread." Get a Life.

Yawns....can i really be bothered to defend myself against the minority here....

*looks at watch....well I have 2 hours before I finish work and currently have nothing else to do so why not.....

GRF,

I think that perhaps before you go round knocking other peoples views and telling them that they are what is wrong with sailing that you adjust your own attitude. Were I to visit a sailing club and see the likes of you hollering at everyone I would just turn round and walk away (and I do wonder just how many have).

For those people who know me (and who know of me, I know there are a few lurking round here). They would (I hope) tell you that I am a very active member of my local club who is active involved in instructing from a complete novice through to advanced racing. I will admit that when I race I am competitive and I do sail by the rules. I also cut a lot of slack to the 'novice' racers often chatting to them afterwards and letting them know what they perhaps should have done as opposed to what they did. If someone has been racing at club level for a couple of seasons I would hope that they have a pretty good understanding of the RRS and as such should know better. 9 times out of 10 if there is an incident on the water with someone like this it is sorted out with a friendly chat afterwards, as long as both parties agree and the 'offender' learns then there really is no issue.

I do not think that this is in any way a draconian attitude to take.

Perhaps you should take a lond hard look in the mirror before you go attacking other peoples attitudes. From someone who, by his own admission, shouts at people when he knows he is in the wrong, who does not really have a clue of the current set of RRS contains and who had not heard of the RYA Racing Charter (which I would say a good percentage of UK sailing clubs have signed up to) having the gall to say I am what is wrong with modern dinghy racing....

I have competed in numerous open meetings, nationals and inland championships and it does surprise me the number of people who will go out and sail in these events without having at least given the rule book a quick glance. I am by no means saying they should not come out and take part but, and this is the same for any sport, if you are going to take part you should have an understanding of the rules that govern it. They are there to ensure fair play for the most part.

I think that will do on this topic from my point of view.

Just one last point GRF. I do accept that you are entitles to your own point of view as I am to my own point of view. Should you decide to attack me personally again I will be reporting you to the forum moderator.

As always just my 2p....

GRF,

Where do you sail?