Lord Birkett, top 8 worse decisions in sailing his

   From Ullswater Yacht clubs web site - ' One of the most spectacular sailing events in the North, the Birkett was rated number eight in the top ‘must do’ sailing regattas by Yachts and Yachting magazine. The unique race was first sailed in 1963 to commemorate the successful defence by Lord Norman Birkett of the right of public access to Ullswater which was threatened with reservoir status.'

I am therefore disappointed that UYC have decided to restrict this race to boats with a PY of 1340 and below, surely against the spirit of the race and what Lord Birkett fought for. This is a truly classic race and though UYC run it it is bigger than their club and they do not own the race. 

I appreciate that the slower boats take longer to complete the course but I am sure if data exists it will show that, as the group, they require below average assistance. The open sailing canoes are cruelly hit by this decision as they are highly self reliant. Equally harsh are the families will mis out on the spectacle, no parent takes their child on such a journey without some careful thought. IMHO the thrill seekers don't consider seamanship in the same way. 

This rule just appears to allow more high performance dinghies to participate. From my observations these guys look down on and have little respect for the 'little guys' in a most unsportsmanlike way. 

I appeal to UYC to reverse this immoral, elitist and unfair decision.

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tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lord Birkett, top 8 worse decisions in sailing his Posted: 10 Mar 17 at 8:48pm
	From Ullswater Yacht clubs web site - ' One of the most spectacular sailing events in the North, the Birkett was rated number eight in the top ‘must do’ sailing regattas by Yachts and Yachting magazine. The unique race was first sailed in 1963 to commemorate the successful defence by Lord Norman Birkett of the right of public access to Ullswater which was threatened with reservoir status.' I am therefore disappointed that UYC have decided to restrict this race to boats with a PY of 1340 and below, surely against the spirit of the race and what Lord Birkett fought for. This is a truly classic race and though UYC run it it is bigger than their club and they do not own the race. I appreciate that the slower boats take longer to complete the course but I am sure if data exists it will show that, as the group, they require below average assistance. The open sailing canoes are cruelly hit by this decision as they are highly self reliant. Equally harsh are the families will mis out on the spectacle, no parent takes their child on such a journey without some careful thought. IMHO the thrill seekers don't consider seamanship in the same way. This rule just appears to allow more high performance dinghies to participate. From my observations these guys look down on and have little respect for the 'little guys' in a most unsportsmanlike way. I appeal to UYC to reverse this immoral, elitist and unfair decision.
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

smurfer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote smurfer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 8:54pm
	The UYC website mentions the issue is about the rescue crews. I don't recall the Mirrors and Toppers being the boats that caused the rescue boats problems last year. In fact, the Mirror was probably the best boat to be in when the squall hit.
	RS200 255, Mirror 67559

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 9:08pm
	And what's your contributrition to organising races for other people? Edited by RS400atC - 11 Mar 17 at 9:09pm

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 9:37pm
	Is the issue that the boats get too spread out? Can think of a few ways round that. This does seem an odd decision. RS400, I'm not sure what difference it makes to an opinion about this whether one has organised racing events. Having never taken part i can't say whether this decision is right or wrong, but I'd expect a damn good reason, explained well.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 10:25pm
	Not many affected classes among the entries....other than the Open Canoes. Which were among the last finishers in last year's big race. Which looks like justification to me. But always frustrating to be the wrong side of a PY cut-off. At least one event I enjoy that we couldn't do in our 2000 on the new PY.

Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 10:26pm
	Feels illogical, as others have said slower classes tend to survive excessive conditions rather better than faster ones so if one follows the logic that restricting the PY range is a safety imperative surely its the faster fleets that would have been canned. So the reason given feels totally spurious to me. And before anyone asks what my contribution has been in organising racing for other people I've been sailing sec/race program organiser at my club for years, I've done my turn as OOD at the club for decades, I've been PRO for opens for years, and I've ran dozens of inlands and areas too. All unpaid.

smurfer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote smurfer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 17 at 10:47pm
	RS400@C - not really relevant whether I've organised/run races for others, but just to let you know that I have been Sailing Sec/ Vice Commodore / Youth & Junior Co-ordinator / H&S Advisor at my club. I have run numerous opens including inland champs and regional champs so I think I'm qualified to have an opinion. I have competed in several Birketts, but had a break when my daughter was younger. Last year I felt she was old enough for us to do it in our Mirror. We had a blast in the strong winds and she loved the weekend, including the band in the beer tent... My wife crewed for another club member and was planning on doing the same this year. We won't be going this year as it's no longer an event we can participate in as a family.
	RS200 255, Mirror 67559

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 17 at 8:58am
	The UYC website mentions the issue is about the rescue crews. I don't recall the Mirrors and Toppers being the boats that caused the rescue boats problems last year. In fact, the Mirror was probably the best boat to be in when the squall hit. Are you sure it's not protecting the rescue boat crews from having to sit around in a small boat in the freezing cold getting hypothermia while the slow boats finish?
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 17 at 9:07am
	Mirror, Teras, Topper, Cadets and optimists. Is that the only established classes that are effected? Looking at last years results that's only 3 boats affected by the change out of 181 boats that actually scored a result, 250 odd entries. While it's a shame, i'm sure there's reason
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Neal_g Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 Oct 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neal_g Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 17 at 9:16am
	Yes it is a shame that they have set a limit but it's there club and obviously have carried out a risk assessment and come back with the findings. As for the topper when I sailed it many moons ago we sailed off 1288 well before centre main and new controls. And always did well on handicap. I can't enter the east coast piers race or the whitstable forts race as I don't sail a cat but I don't go that's outrageous A lot of people have said there volunteers. It's a decision it's not a popular one but it's there choice.
	(Redoubt Sc) Miracle 4040 GP14 13407 Crewsaver phase 2 range now available to buy online on at http://www.gibsonsails.com