Grafham Grand Prix

Originally posted by blaze720 FWIW- I'd love to get to sail a Blaze at one these events .....Rogue - If serious get in touch with Cirrus  or the Blaze CA soon ...Mike L.

absolutely serious- just not this year as we have another little 'un due in February, so no time to pick up a new boat currently.   I'm looking to get another dinghy in Autumn, or maybe New Year 2013 (depending on how 'routines' establish), but either way a Blaze (well actually Halo) are on the 'try before you buy' list.

So, all those handicaps look to be harsher, and if everyone moves down then it's not a problem but if there is some interest group being artificially benefitted by all this, then it's bollox.

Edited by G.R.F. - 21 Dec 11 at 7:10pm

G.R.F.  Don't be such a wuss!  Turn up and race!

Well it wouldn't be worrying me, if I manage to get there, get an entry, get the thing rigged anything like sail worthy, get to the start line, the last thing I'll be worrying about is a bunch of laser bandits, (other than smirking at them in a 'I know why you're here' sort of way.)

Edited by G.R.F. - 21 Dec 11 at 9:10pm

Hi Alex ...

Exactly the point !  And your analysis is useful.  Also have a look at the Flying 15 for example  - very similar sample size, variance from 'official' PN's roughly the same etc etc but ... you guessed it NO adjustment to applied handicap.  So the Blaze CA and some others could naturally wonder what really goes ....  Average last year was a modest 5 below the 'official handicap' but now nobbled 15 below even that figure.  What surely these numbers are not decided in the bar ?  On partly anecdotal evidence ? On insignificant sample sizes ? On a guess ?  So lets see the criteria / formula!!

Without an objective method publically made available for scrutiny some might just think any  particular number is arbitary.  I'm sure it is not but if the method is not fully revealed it may well as be exactly that.   Furthermore IF 'championship level' sailors are assumed for all classes as is being implied how on earth can the Laser be adjusted to be advantaged so far ?   The Laser has got that slow in recent years or what ?  Surely not ....  Or is the event just not being supported by the best Laser helms ?  If it is the latter then  ......

The impact of a particular sail cloth is likely to have virtually zero impact on performance overall when compared to these sort of significant administrative PN adjustments.  Got me thinking as well.

Mike L.

PS - I'm not picking on particular classes but examples do have to be drawn.   I think ALL entrants should know the critiria applied to their racing    ;-)