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2012 Endeavour Trophy
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2547 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 1:38pm
Originally posted by Hector

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 sails 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.
Agreed, it is an excellent event and hats off to the industry supporters who have helped revatalise it after the Enterprise/RS400 days ...
 
It would be good to see the process for invites and the net cast wider and the event to receive a bigger build up. Anyone who gets on the start line has done very well, anyone who wins a race is a star, to win the event is epic....
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Hector View Drop Down
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hector Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 1:41pm
BTW G.R.F. (and anyone else thinking of going to watch) -  if the wind has a lot of North or South in it, the race Officer often sends the fleet up and down the entrance to the River Roach. Thats on the opposite bank to Burnham, and would not make for good viewing. So I'd keep an eye on the forecast and not waste a journey if the winds not right.

RE Multi weekend events. It takes approx 5 hours each way from here in Yorkshire. (250 miles).
Thats 1000 miles for two weekends. £200 in fuel alone. NOT LIKELY!
In any case, the Topper support is exceptional as it is - asking them to extend it would be a tall task.
And of course the club has limited resources as well. The fantastic goodwill of it's members keeps the event alive as it is (they put up sailors in their homes as well as running the event). I doubt they could be asked to put even more into the event that people then sl*g off.





Edited by Hector - 04 Oct 12 at 1:51pm
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Hector View Drop Down
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hector Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 1:55pm
Originally posted by alstorer

Originally posted by Hector

  BTW he also sailed B14 and MPS -
His B14 now has FRA lettering on the sails and won a regatta that eluded him- the B14 euros. Don't think he's had a Musto for years...


OK - edited my post. Not sure it makes any difference to the point I was making.
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Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 2:14pm
Makes no difference to your point, it was just a little housekeeping!
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Posts: 2202 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondmonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 2:43pm
It's a challenging place to sail well, in boats that are going to be challenging to sail well... as someone I know who attended once said after pulling on the forestay, "I've never had a boat with an adjustable rocker before".

Far better it keeps these quirky factors than becomes yet another drab event on the Rutland calendar.  These are the factors which could be used for better publicity, which in turn, might up the ante and desirability to attend to represent a class, thus improving prestige and credibility all round.  

A little bit more transparency in the who's accepted/declined could also be welcome, nothing like a bit of name and shame for failing to represent your class at this event?  It should be an honour, and I guess for most who are good to enough to get invited, it most certainly is, even if a little quirky in the final conclusions.


Edited by pondmonkey - 04 Oct 12 at 2:44pm
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Posts: 346 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Kev M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 3:43pm
It could definitely do with some work to up its profile.  How hard would it be to drip feed out press releases giving some background on the event and the competitors in the run up to the event to build some interest?
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Posts: 615 		Post Options Post Options   Quote timeintheboat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 10:15pm
Isn't this the sort of thing that could be covered on the telly? 
Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else
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Posts: 1151 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 2547 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 12 at 11:08pm
Yep it would make good tv. The racing is very tight boat on boat stuff.
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Hector View Drop Down
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hector Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 12 at 2:59am
Agree the pre-publicity is sparse. Guess the club are working hard on the event, but still suprising that no-one can pen a few words or that Topper or whoever aren't more active about it. They could do one of the 'Advertorials' we all love to see on here! 
There was a film crew there a few years back - 2008ish.  It was breezy both days, and they probably had some good footage. They even interviewed race winners on the water. while filming other boats finishing in the background.  I heard it made local TV, and a video was to be produced, and later heard rumours it was out - but never actually seen it. Guess that part confirms what you're saying.
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Posts: 58 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dogslife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 12 at 9:14am
Originally posted by timeintheboat

Isn't this the sort of thing that could be covered on the telly? 


That's a great idea, let's get Richard 'Simpleton' Simmonds & Rob 'The Octopus' Walker to do the commentary......... on second thoughts lets not Smile
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