New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Single handling both sexes?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Single handling both sexes?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 910111213>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Single handling both sexes?
    Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 10:36am
Originally posted by Dougaldog

In Chris Law we had one of the youngest winners of the Gold Cup and as good a prospect for a medal in 1980 as we were ever likely to get. That he didn't get the chance for his Olympic glory is yet another shameful failing to be laid at the door of the RYA!


I remember him, he was around in my day so what happened did he fail at the trials, they were still open to all and weather dependant in those days, i.e. you could be a good allrounder but say weak in a particular weather condition which if playing at the trials meant you lost.
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 10:39am
Originally posted by Bootscooter


Do Kite people all use the same boards, foils and kites?  Isn't Bryony's sail smaller than Nick's?


Yes in essence they do, Bryony however is limited to 8.5 a her largest sail size whereas the men can use 9.8, kites carry no such limitation so they can pretty much use what they like. Well they will until Pryde gets his way and everyone is forced to use their kit which I suspect North will have something to say about.
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
Dougaldog View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 05 Nov 10
Location: hamble
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 356 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dougaldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 11:05am
Graeme,
No - 'Claw' was on his way to the Games in 1980 when the RYA decided to boycott the Olympics as a sop to the Americans. There was a lot more to it than that - but that's enough for now.
D
Dougal H
Back to Top
Jamesd View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 01 Feb 08
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 377 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jamesd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 12:02pm
I personally think that world sailing do not showcase the sport well at all. There is an emphasis on the television appeal, yet the coverage of Rio was frankly appalling. An utter disgrace. How much involvement world sailing have i don't know. Presumably the broadcaster is the person to blame, but world sailing need to have more of an influence in that area. 
For the last few cycles, there has been a big emphasis on making it more viewer friendly, bringing in the medal races, more "exciting" boats etc, all at the expense of the sailors. 
The olympics were dull to watch, i'd be amazed and probably embarrassed if someone watched the s**t show televised racing off the beach and thought "wow how do i do that". Finns sailing downwind in 2m seas and 20 knots would have been awesome! watching the 49ers outside the harbour would have been interesting. We didn't see any of the classes at their best. I know there are big costs involved, but why are there not go-pros on each mast, at the back of each boat and flying from drones all over the place? Decent trackers on each boat, microphones etc. And get some yank to do the commentary, they sure know how to make the dullest of sport sound fun.
That is number one step for making sailing more appealing! Do it at the isaf events as well, stream it on youtube, sod the costs, just make it happen, find sponsors and show it can be done. 

As for the Bin-the Finn debate..... yeah, as much as it pains me, get rid of it. Bring in another mixed class, that is a great selling point for our sport. The other that i think should go is one of the 470 classes, keep one as a mixed event, bin the other. Bring in a short handed offshore event (the french will love it). The sport is far more than finns, lasers, boards and 49ers, so why not show it? 

 
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 12:34pm
Originally posted by Jamesd

And get some yank to do the commentary, they sure know how to make the dullest of sport sound fun.


Or the Oirish... https://youtu.be/3gPjMvTmE2g



Edited by iGRF - 20 Oct 16 at 12:35pm
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
Bootscooter View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 15 May 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1094 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Bootscooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 3:53pm
Originally posted by iGRF

Originally posted by Bootscooter


Do Kite people all use the same boards, foils and kites?  Isn't Bryony's sail smaller than Nick's?


Yes in essence they do, Bryony however is limited to 8.5 a her largest sail size whereas the men can use 9.8, kites carry no such limitation so they can pretty much use what they like. Well they will until Pryde gets his way and everyone is forced to use their kit which I suspect North will have something to say about.

So essentially has having the Laser Std (men's lightweight) and the Laser Radial (women's heavyweight). Oh, and the 49er and FX.  Introduction of the Laser 4.7 or Byte CII as women's lightweight, with 470 mixed replacing the two 470 classes balances the medals nicely without completely ripping up the Olympic campaigns (in the main) that have already started.

As I mentioned earlier (twice) this, and in particular the TV coverage standard from RIO is being addressed vociferously by the Class association and WS - hence next month's meeting.
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 6:46pm
It smacks of cluelessness. If sailing is to be in the Olympics, and I hope it is, the racing format needs to change.  These days the Olympics are essentially a modern day equivalent of gladiator fighting at the coliseum.  It exists for the entertainment of the viewers, and dreams of it being about representing grass roots participation are wide of the mark.  

As such, fleet racing in Lasers is no different to fleet racing in Finns or 49ers. Have one fleet racing event, one relay event, one time trial, one elimination race, one match race etc.  Let the sailors compete in as many events as they are able to qualify for. The current format doesn't make great TV and changing the classes of boat won't address that; it's just fiddling while Rome burns.
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 6:55pm
Dougal, you are right, my apologies for forgetting the 1980 debacle and Chris Law's skill. We even had a Finn in the roof at Tamesis for a while around that time, which I believe belonged to Chris, but maybe to Tim?
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
RS400atC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Dec 08
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 7:38pm
Originally posted by A2Z

It smacks of cluelessness. If sailing is to be in the Olympics, and I hope it is, the racing format needs to change.  These days the Olympics are essentially a modern day equivalent of gladiator fighting at the coliseum.  It exists for the entertainment of the viewers, and dreams of it being about representing grass roots participation are wide of the mark.  

As such, fleet racing in Lasers is no different to fleet racing in Finns or 49ers. Have one fleet racing event, one relay event, one time trial, one elimination race, one match race etc.  Let the sailors compete in as many events as they are able to qualify for. The current format doesn't make great TV and changing the classes of boat won't address that; it's just fiddling while Rome burns.

The trouble is the olympics are in summer when even the most dedicated couch vegetables tend to go out sometimes, limiting them to perhaps 10hrs a day in front of the box.
There are god knows how many other sports they already know they want to watch, all vying for their attention across however many channels. I don't think sailing stands an earthly chance of getting new following from the olympics. People who have an interest in sailing are even more likely to be doing other things than watching TV.
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 16 at 8:47pm
The IOC's aim is not to increase sporting participation, it is to increase revenue - through higher audiences.  People love watching elite sport - the standards of perfection that most can't ever hope to achieve, the years of dedication ending in a moment of glory or failure, the drama, the shear commitment and sacrifice, the back stories.  It's great, and the IOC want to profit from that.  
If sailing wants to be a part of that bandwagon (because, lets face it if its not sailing will get no media coverage at all), then it needs to offer more drama, and find its USP as a televised event.  Ten different fleet races isn't the answer to that, in any class.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 910111213>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy