2012 Endeavour Trophy

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by Peaky If the Endeavour is as prestigious as the class nationals, I suppose that depends on whether they sail for the fun or the prestige... As for two consecutive weekends, all very well if you live in Essex, not so much fun if you're in Scotland, or even, for that matter, the Isle of Wight.

If you couldn't be bothered to travel for it then that's up to you ... did you win a nationals then this year?

Our class association was approached by the host club at the Dinghy show. It was very informal and the CA was then able to encourage the Class champion to attend. Is this the standard way for applications?

Edited by E.J. - 03 Oct 12 at 8:26pm

Originally posted by rodney G.R.F., I am not sure that a day out with your missus watching this is the best way to gain Brownie points to get away to the FOM

Originally posted by G.R.F. Got a hall pass, note second weekend running of clearing out the loft.

Why so negative?
How has it lost credibility?

The Endeavour is the only remotely valid event we have to determine a 'Champion of Champions'. It's far from perfect, but as far as I can see, there is no perfect solution (If you want to debate other options please start a new thread!). The event has both history, a roll call of extremely good winners, and precedent on it's side.
It' sailed in a neutral boat at an arguably neutral venue. Therefore - so as far as is practicable, no-one has an advantage.
AFAIK, before the use of Xenons, invites used to be sent to all class associations with over X entries in their Nationals.  (Not sure how many X was). Loads of them didn't even bother to reply, so the net was then cast wider. Even then, entries were rarely above 20 - so the event was effectively unlimited entry.  But until the advent of Topper and the Xenon, the event was struggling and entries were reducing year on year - not least because getting hold of a decent RS400 wasn't easy for many potential competitors.
Topper / Xenon / Holt / Allen / Hyde etc have revatalised the event, and the full entry proves it's worth.

The nonsense about 'why isn't x y or z class there is probably because they've declined - I've certainly seen all of them represented before - for instance Goody was there one year representing Laser. Of course there are those with big ego's to protect who know they'll get wupped once out of their limited comfort zone.

If the club want to adjust who they invite, then that's their perogative - it's their event not the RYAs or anyone else's.

RE Some of the 'minor' classes (percieved as poor) VS the 'major' classes (percieved as hot). well again, it is my experience that the National Champions in most classes are very good, and supposedly suprise results are not uncommon (in both directions).
That said, Nick Craig is always likely to be a favourite - not in my view because he 'sails moderate speed boats', but because he's an exceptionally talented sailor. BTW he also sailed B14 and MPS - hardly moderate performance boats as well as Finn and OK - considerably different beasts to the two man asymmetric breed..
So My 1-2-3
1. Nick Craig / Toby Lewis (Toby is a huge factor and not properly recognised).
2. Tom Gillard/ Oliver Wells (Hoping Youth and Yorkshire grit will win through)
3. Stu Bithell / Luke Patience (No denying the talent here- whichever way round they sail).
Outside Bet  Camm / Ballantyne - they are so quick if it's light!

Whoever wins will have to sail exceptionally well.


Edited by Hector - 04 Oct 12 at 1:56pm