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Veteran status at nationals
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lionel rigby View Drop Down
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Posts: 36 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lionel rigby Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Veteran status at nationals
    Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 12:25pm

I am now in my 70s and decided a while ago not to enter any more 3 day Nationals, as the schedule can be too demanding on my ageing body.  My chosen class is a Tasar and usually the racing programmes plan some 9 races over 3 days and I find that is just too much.  If the weather is poor then it might even entail 4 races on a day to try and keep up with the programme, which then compounds my problem.  The Tasar is not the only class of boat to host 3 day championships and I am sure that the other classes’ entries may be affected for similar reasons.  Usually the 9 race formats allows 1 discard, so one still needs to sail at least 8 races to qualify.

Now wouldn’t it be nice if those Classes recognised this and offered “veteran” status for genuine OAPs and had a separate entry for them which only specified 2 races a day for the vets, with an appropriate discard.  They could have their own Championship within the main Championship, either all race together or if there are enough vets then have a separate start.  No doubt if taken on board then my suggestion could be tweaked to suit the occasion.  My conversation with some of the people who sailed the Tasar Nationals a couple of weeks ago tell me that it was a very physical experience and agreed with my reasoning for not attending.  I suppose I would look a right plonker if I was the only one to turn up as a veteran, but the age profile of dinghy sailors is rising and this problem will become more common. What do you good people think?
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 12:55pm
This will be an increasing issue with the age 50/60 bubble working through the fleets.  I understand that the Laser Masters have moved toward Standard Rigs for Grand Masters, because they did not want to sail Radials.

But probably one to take up with your class association, since views will probably vary in different classes, for instance Alan Warren was scoring single figure results at Salcombe Merlin Week this year at 82.
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lionel rigby View Drop Down
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Posts: 36 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lionel rigby Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 1:34pm
82 and still sailing dinghies is to be respected but Salcombe Merlin week is one race a day and even I could drag myself along for that.  I don't think Alan entered the Merlin Nationals this year, don't see his name in the results, but stand to be corrected.

Yes I agree it is a decision for each class to make and I will be interested to see if the Tasar fleet would be interested in creating a new slot for veterans.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 2:18pm
So age group trophies with more discards within the same event? Or agree the last race of each day won't count to any age related trophies? 

It's a bit of a faff extracting results... but if you're willing to put in the effort it could work. 

Age group sailors could stay out and sail the additional races for the championships if they wish and the weather is kind.  


Edited by mozzy - 18 Sep 18 at 2:59pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 5:52pm
To be honest I don’t think it is just over 65s who would rather not squeeze 9 races into three days. There seems to be a belief that ‘proper’ racers will want lots of races to make up for the effort of travelling, but I believe it is only a small hardcore who actually enjoy such a full on schedule - which is probably one reason why so many don’t travel.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 5:56pm
One thing I've observed is that at AGMs the fleet will agree that they want lots of races, and to be out on the water all day and not waste racing time with lunch breaks and so on.

Then next year, at the first sight of a chance, the fleet will head to the beach and a refreshment/comfort break...

Another alternative might be having a greater number of discards for the veteran prize.

Edited by JimC - 18 Sep 18 at 6:00pm
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 6:03pm
Originally posted by mozzy

It's a bit of a faff extracting results...

If using Sailwave the alias feature is your friend.
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Late starter View Drop Down
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Posts: 481 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Late starter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 7:40pm
Originally posted by A2Z

To be honest I don’t think it is just over 65s who would rather not squeeze 9 races into three days. There seems to be a belief that ‘proper’ racers will want lots of races to make up for the effort of travelling, but I believe it is only a small hardcore who actually enjoy such a full on schedule - which is probably one reason why so many don’t travel.
Yes I tend to agree with that, but I suppose it does vary from class to class. When I was a young Laser hot shot (and that was a LONG time ago) I used to begrudge any time when we weren't on the water, 3 or 4 races a day didn't seem unreasonable. I'm guessing many classes that attract the keener racing types are still much the same. Fast forward 20 years and I sailed a few nats with my young daughters in a more family friendly class and nats week had crews races, prizes for first lady, first junior, first senior, days off, on the water treasure hunts, and a great social programme that worked alongside a couple of races most days. It made for a great family holiday for all involved.  Can't say I like the idea of 9 races in 3 days, and am I the only one who dislikes all this back to back stuff ?    I can sort of "get it" for clubs with big sailing areas, but some of the racers at the puddle I sail on have picked up the back to back bug at their nats and insist on doing it in club racing too, although one can launch and be in the sailing area in 5 minutes so seems a bit pointless.
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 8:33pm
What happens when a fit pensioner wants to race in the normal section ? I should say younger age bracket rather than normal  Embarrassed

Edited by 423zero - 18 Sep 18 at 8:35pm
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 18 at 8:54pm
Originally posted by Late starter


but some of the racers at the puddle I sail on have picked up the back to back bug at their nats and insist on doing it in club racing too, although one can launch and be in the sailing area in 5 minutes so seems a bit pointless.

The minutes all add up though: we have two 20 minute back to back races early afternoon, and no more than 10 minutes between them as we start the 2nd sequence within a minute or so of the last finisher.

So it takes say 80 minutes for: sail out and sequence (10 mins), -> last finisher (30 mins), sequence (5 mins), last finisher (30 mins), sail in (5 mins).

If we had two separate races and a 5 minute comfort break on shore it would be
sail out and sequence (10 mins), -> last finisher (30 mins), sail in (5 mins), break (5 mins) sail out and sequence (10 mins), -> last finisher (30 mins), sail in (5 mins), so its at least an extra quarter hour, even if can genuinely get the sailors back out in 5 minutes (unlikely I submit!), more likely its 20 minutes and half an hour later for the same racing.

Then if you consider the days when its light airs and the start the far side of the puddle and its not 5 minutes to get out there!

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