Criticising race management

   I was recently involved in helping run a 2 day dinghy event.  There were around 30 boats of different classes over 2 starts.  One fleet had 6 races scheduled and the other 4.  The weekend went well or so we thought.  We had a couple of moans about not getting 3 races in on the saturday etc but on the whole it seemed to go well.
After the weekend one of the sailors then posted a daming report on his association website saying the race management was very poor, courses rubbish, sailing area rubbish etc.  It was the first time this fleet had been to our club but he didn't offer any advice on how we could make things better during the weekend.
As this was a travelling event it is likely that this particular fleet will now not return due to one set of comments.
6 people gave up there weekend and sat in a yacht some being sea sick whilst taking times and this is how we are repaid  
Is it acceptable to slate the race management after the event but not give any constructive critisism or advice during the weekend??
Your thoughts please

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Barty Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Post Options Post Reply Quote Barty Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Criticising race management Posted: 23 Jul 07 at 5:54pm
	I was recently involved in helping run a 2 day dinghy event. There were around 30 boats of different classes over 2 starts. One fleet had 6 races scheduled and the other 4. The weekend went well or so we thought. We had a couple of moans about not getting 3 races in on the saturday etc but on the whole it seemed to go well. After the weekend one of the sailors then posted a daming report on his association website saying the race management was very poor, courses rubbish, sailing area rubbish etc. It was the first time this fleet had been to our club but he didn't offer any advice on how we could make things better during the weekend. As this was a travelling event it is likely that this particular fleet will now not return due to one set of comments. 6 people gave up there weekend and sat in a yacht some being sea sick whilst taking times and this is how we are repaid Is it acceptable to slate the race management after the event but not give any constructive critisism or advice during the weekend?? Your thoughts please
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JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6661	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 07 at 6:22pm
	The trouble with trying to give constructive criticism or advice during a weekend event is that its quite hard to manage without it coming across badly, especially as everyone is probably rushed and stressed. It can be very easy for it to come across as confrontational. Also if a race team is already struggling and know they've got problems, unsolicited constructive criticism is not always the thing they need most. Of course its come across like that anyway... You often find at Champs that the class association and the organisers have got contacts set up which are pre-arranged, so that its not unsolicited comment, and its all managed a bit more easily, but its a lot more hassle to set this up for a two day event.

WildWood Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Nov 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 136	Post Options Post Reply Quote WildWood Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 07 at 8:36pm
	You've obviously take care not to name names! Sounds like pretty bad form to me. I think most sailors will have the odd grumble about race management, but are actually very grateful to the folk who have made the effort to run the event. Sounds like these guys have gone a bit far.

GM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 19 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 122	Post Options Post Reply Quote GM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 07 at 9:50pm
	Having read your post and without knowing where you sail or what class was involved, I guessed at which individual was responsible for the criticism. Two minutes later and I think I've found the website and the comment - and it was indeed made by the person I thought. Nothing changes....

Nessie Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 13 Feb 07 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 91	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nessie Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 10:38am
	Findhorn Week? usually brilliant
	Nessie (I like cats, but i couldn't eat a whole one)

Barty Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Post Options Post Reply Quote Barty Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 12:06pm
	Not quite Nessie but very close, Findhorn WEEK was brilliant
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Graeme Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 07 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graeme Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 12:24pm
	It's very poor form indeed, clubs and open meetings happen, because folk are prepared to give up their time, if they didn't then said individual won't have any where to sail. It doesn't show the individual or the group involved in a very +ve light. Edited by Graeme

Guest Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 21 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guest Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 1:35pm
	If that person is representative of the views of the class then don't invite them back. If it's just one person then perhaps have a word with the class assoc. Very dissapointing that people should behave like this. Edited by Guest#260

Nessie Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 13 Feb 07 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 91	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nessie Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 2:16pm
	go on, name and shame!!
	Nessie (I like cats, but i couldn't eat a whole one)

ChrisJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 2:19pm
	On the other hand, is this the right way of doing it: http://propercourse.blogspot.com/2007/07/dear-race-committee .html An individual / single person criticising the Race Committee is BAD FORM. The individual should be talking to the class representative at the club, who can then have a word with the race committee during (so it can be fixed now) or after the event (so that everyone can learn and improve for next time). At the briefing you may need to make it clear who the class rep is, so the visitors know to whom they can explain improvements to.