Blatant pumping in Olympic sailing - OK with that?

blatant

   So watching the highlights from Perth while handing over the hard-earned to Rupert and the boys... struck by how much blatant pumping goes on nowadays in Olympic sailing.

Now, I'm not against this blanket ban style, I think it adds an athletic dimension that would be missing otherwise in Finns and RSX, but when you see crews bouncing on 470 wires off the line, it does take a bit of getting used to... what do you think?

Poll Question: Pumping is allowed in some Olympic classes, good or bad?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
I think it's a good thing, it adds to the spectacle	14	[32.56%]
I don't like it, it detracts from the spectacle	0	[0.00%]
It's legal and athletic, it should be allowed in all classes	11	[25.58%]
It should be outlawed in all classes	18	[41.86%]
You can not vote in this poll

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Blatant pumping in Olympic sailing - OK with that? Posted: 19 Dec 11 at 5:27pm
	So watching the highlights from Perth while handing over the hard-earned to Rupert and the boys... struck by how much blatant pumping goes on nowadays in Olympic sailing. Now, I'm not against this blanket ban style, I think it adds an athletic dimension that would be missing otherwise in Finns and RSX, but when you see crews bouncing on 470 wires off the line, it does take a bit of getting used to... what do you think?

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: 19 Dec 11 at 6:03pm
	Not exactly using the wind, is it... By the way, getafix, not got any money from you yet... or is it a different, more Australian Rupert you refer too?!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

SoggyBadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Oct 10 Location: The Wild Wood Online Status: Offline Posts: 552	Post Options Post Reply Quote SoggyBadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 11 at 6:26pm
	It's Olympic sailing. It should be physically hard so let them pump.
	Best wishes from deep in the woods SB

Andymac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Apr 07 Location: Derbyshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 852	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andymac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 11 at 6:29pm
	Paddling is also physically hard, so let them do that as well!

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: 19 Dec 11 at 6:46pm
	My problem with this is that my old club had a huge windsurfing racing fleet. then they allowed pumping and within a year it was dead. I get the while physical thing, but the cynical side of me says this is more to avoid protests and ill feeling than it is to make for better racing.

doeywizard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 16 Jun 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 150	Post Options Post Reply Quote doeywizard Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 11 at 7:31pm
	I think that pumping should be aloud in all classes over 15 knts, it would put even more of a physical element into sailing and make it even more technical to sail in stronger winds, it would increase work rate and make it even more competitive.

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: 19 Dec 11 at 9:24pm
	The 600 class currently has a vote running to see if we should run a trial to allow pumping in class events for the run leg of our square course once the wind is around 10kn or more. I'm in favour of the idea, it seems to have worked well for the the Contender which is another great upwind/ reachin boats that can get a little stuck downwind in marginal waves. I hope we get to run the trial next year and see how it goes. I suspect that most people pump while running in single handers anyway - trying to copy the whole laser zig zag running thing but instead just pumping teh sail and not doing the zigzag!
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

SalsaPirates Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote SalsaPirates Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Dec 11 at 9:49am
	I am dead against it for mere mortal sailing and the trying to tie it to a windstrength just doesn't work inland. At our pond there is no such thing as 10 or 15 kts of wind. it is usually 1 kt gusting 20!!!! doesn't matter how hard it is blowing there are always some flat spots in shadow where pumping makes an enormous difference. If I wanted to fan my way around the racecource I would get a windsurfer. I dont remember the RYA five essentials including who can pump the hardest as a core skill ...... I know all the arguments about where do you draw the line and how do you police it when people are reluctant to protest in club racing .... but I would prefer to work toward a solution of clamping down on it than just let it be a free for all which to my mind would ruin the sport on ponds as there would only be 1 essential .. who can pump the best wins!

doeywizard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 16 Jun 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 150	Post Options Post Reply Quote doeywizard Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Dec 11 at 10:07am
	don't you think it would put even more of an element of fitness into sailing? I do understand that it would be unpractical in a club such as yours, however what about in fleet racing?

Jaws Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jaws Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Dec 11 at 10:43am
	Does everyone want a big physical element? If all I wanted was to a physical challenge, why go to the hassle of adding sails? Swimming, running, weightlifting etc. offer that sort of exercise. I'd say most sailors are more interested in the technical element of the sport that sets sailing apart from the straight athletic sports. By all means have some physicality, and certainly in some classes it should be promoted, but there needs to be something for everyone and that most certainly isn't pumping.
	RS600 794