Grafham Grand Prix Format

   This was the first time we had run the Grafham Grand Prix as 3 short races back to back and no lunch break. This enabled the results to be fairer due to the application of a discard if 3 races were sailed - as they were. We also made more of an effort to segregate the asymmetric boats on the fast course onto the windward-leeward course and to keep the non asymmetric mono hulls & cats on the trapezoidal course.
It was a pity that the weather forecast and wind strength early in the day put off a number of the competitors (and that the wind shift at the start of race 3 made race 3 a bit of a one sided drag race) but what were the views on the new format?
Any input from those who took part welcome.

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Sprint Bob Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 17 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sprint Bob Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Grafham Grand Prix Format Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 3:38pm
	This was the first time we had run the Grafham Grand Prix as 3 short races back to back and no lunch break. This enabled the results to be fairer due to the application of a discard if 3 races were sailed - as they were. We also made more of an effort to segregate the asymmetric boats on the fast course onto the windward-leeward course and to keep the non asymmetric mono hulls & cats on the trapezoidal course. It was a pity that the weather forecast and wind strength early in the day put off a number of the competitors (and that the wind shift at the start of race 3 made race 3 a bit of a one sided drag race) but what were the views on the new format? Any input from those who took part welcome.

carshalton fc Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 05 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 2337	Post Options Post Reply Quote carshalton fc Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 4:00pm
	loved it, was a great event. there was a bit of confusion about what start the laser 4000's were on and it ended up with us being on the first start with the fast assametric boats and the other 2 4000's starting on the second start the thing that couldnt get quite was that they finished infront of us even tough they didnt do the same course. if u could enlighten me why they got a result in the fast handicap even though they didnt do the same course. thanks luke
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Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 9:11pm
	I thought that the format on paper was OK, but feel that three back to back races - even shorrter ones - in typical January weather is a bad idea. People get cold, wet, and for those at the back it's a hard slog round and they - and those of us nearer the front for that matter - really would appreciate a break between races - daylight permitting of course! It's a bit of damned of you do damned if you don't really. This year in some ways is abad example as the first race felt anything but short!! Edited by Paramedic

Jon Emmett Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Emmett Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 9:46pm
	I thought it was a great idea. No handing around, you get home earlier and this year we got the best of the wind (same we didn't have a 10:30 start!!!) In the winter with limited daylight being time efficient is very important IMVHO.
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Ian29937 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian29937 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 10:08pm
	I much prefer the 3 back to back format. The only things achieved by going into the club between races are to waste a lot of good sailing time and give you a great chance to get cold sitting in the club. Gets my vote every time Ian Nolan RS700 GBR960 www.sail4cancer.org

Sprint Bob Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 17 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sprint Bob Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 07 at 11:57pm
	Reply to Laser 4000 Luke Luke - as the trapezoidal course was bigger than the inner windward-leeward course the other 2 Laser 4000s that started 5 minutes late did the correct course and gave a 5 minute start to those that started at the correct time. So we counted their laps against the start 1 boats and gave them a finish & a place. Thus they must have sailed faster than you and made up the 5 minute deficit and the extra distance around the bigger trapezoidal course. I hope this helps Regards Bob