Great British Sailing Challenge

But presenting it as the Great British Sailing Challenge is rather pretentious, given most folks acknowledge the limitations of the sporting context that is handicap racing.  (Sorry dicking around with the numbers and a couple of GPS tracks won't change that... ever.)

All that will happen is the industry and semi-pro sailors will feel obliged to enter as part of their marketing campaigns, thus further depleting their engagement in proper class regattas and the classes which provide the critical mass.  I think that's a shame- one the beautiful things about going to a proper class event is racing on the same patch of water against folks far more skilled than most of us could ever be; I know I certainly don't like or welcome a spreadsheet blurring that sensation personally. 

I can't imagine for one minute someone good enough at sailboat racing to get free sails, or even more competent than that, who is cutting the damn things for a living; honestly believes any hype around handicap racing.... perhaps I'm wrong. 

So here's my Great British Sailing Challenge - find a cheap Laser, all in less than say, £2k - integrity rules.  Send 'em all off at the same time anti-clockwise around the IoW - no f**king around with handicaps.   Let's really have a challenge if you're going to use such a grand moniker!   

But hey, you know what.... there's really nothing wrong with a few noddy classes jumping on the bandwagon of some spreadsheet racing and getting Mel and Sue to present the prizes if it makes them feel all fluffy.

I'm sure it will be deemed a success - irrespective of what is said on here.

Success in failure maybe?  But if handicap racing is pretty much going to be the core offering going forward, I can't see many folks returning to sailing when they get older like they have in generations past.

I like a handicap 'event', mostly pursuit races. They can be fun. But someone winning a handicap race has never made me sit up and think 'gosh, so and so is really a great sailor'. 

I just kind of wish they would push more of their considerable publicity and resources toward class racing.