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    Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 8:32pm
Yeah, not that I'm not friendly with Dylan and Stu. Dylan I still keep in touch with now and then (as I knicked his 49er footage to do a gybe footwork video). Was on squad with dylan for two years and it would be nice to see him pick up a medal. Stu i've met in 200 sailing and is really nice. 

But yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say I know James well from HISC. 

James and Fynn got UFD at palma. One of those situations where lots were probably were over and they no doubt felt hard done by. The information about the rule 69 is all on the event website. I think it was harsh. 

Most of all I'd like to see a good competition between two top boats. As a fan I'd like to see that go on and best boat win a spot at the Olympics. I'd agree, dylan and stu probably just shade it currently (they had a great euros), but it's very tight, and to use an event which James and Fynn aren't invited to as the clincher seems a poor conclusion to the selection trials. James and Fynn are the younger team and were improving all the time; most of all, as a fan I just feel short changed by what is one of the most intriguing narratives leading up to the Olympics.  

I mean, they have their worlds in just a couple of months later where both could line up against the best in the world. 


Edited by mozzy - 30 Sep 19 at 8:35pm
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L123456 View Drop Down
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Posts: 500 		Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 5:46pm
James & Fynn are no doubt your mates from HISC. 

Clearly world class sailors and would get the slot in almost any other country but I think the others shade it. Winning events in Japan which are not fully attended carries less weight. 

I hope they go another cycle and get their chance. 

Was there some social media/rule 69 issue in Palma which was a selection event?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 19 at 9:56am
And 1st and 2nd at the 29er euros...

I think GBR program is good at getting medals. But, I'm not sure it's the best sporting process. Which is understandable, they just want medals, they're not fussed if the best people are getting the opportunity to get them and most of the time the two line up anyway. 

But, with only one boat allowed to go per nation, when the battle to even get an Olympic spot will likely determine who a medal winner is, then perhaps there should be more sporting rigour in the selection to be fair?

Having spots decided a year out from the games at an event the other key aspirants aren't allowed to take part in is not sporting in anyone's book. Although it does allow the RYA to focus their programme. 

James and Fynn are world number one, beat Dylan and Stu at the last worlds and won the last two events they've done in Japan. I hope Dyl an Stu win a medal and this isn't a dig at them, but if they don't, I wonder if the selection committee who came up with this process will be jettisoned from the RYA's programme in same short order as some of the sailors are? 

My view is that where the selection process is one sided, sure, get the number one into their Olympic preparations as soon as possible. But if you've got a tight run thing, then you owe it to the sailors to run a decent selection with the form team near the event getting the nod.  I also think a tight run selection is as productive as any extra support the RYA give. If there is some secret squirrel boosts the RYA give out nearer the games, then give it to both the horses in the race. 
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Posts: 148 		Post Options Post Options   Quote giraffe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 19 at 8:46pm
GBR won 420 ladies worlds and ladies laser radial in 2019
GBR also placed well in numerous classes at ISAF worlds.
Why do you think the country is so “unsuccessful” in youth sailing?
Maybe it would be more pertinent to ask why countries such as Spain win at Youth level so regularly and then don’t do so well later?
My observation of the GBR youth sailing process is that they run a great programme to develop successful adult sailors and don’t focus solely on winning at an early age. I think they might have got it right. Whilst there is always danger that we might fall behind, I don’t see the arrogance to which you refer or anyone resting on their laurels.
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Posts: 114 		Post Options Post Options   Quote By The Lee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Sep 19 at 7:04pm
Originally posted by L123456

Originally posted by Rupert

The process is sound if you accept the original premis of medals at any cost. What hasn't been good is the abandonment of the also-rans. You could say they are free to carry on sailing just as the rest of us do, but it must be hard to take the end of an Olympic dream. Maybe it explains the foiling moth phenomenon, where kicks are got in another high intensity way.

Elite sport is elite ... anyone who goes down that road knows the score ... 

If you are not making the performance levels you are off the programme; budgets are limited.

The funding is all driven by medals.

I note that they announce the selections on the 30th

I have to agree I fact I think GBR is in danger of falling behind other sailing nations as we often have the arrogent view that we are the best sailing nation in the world and that the medals will take care of themselves. I think the BST is very much in danger of resting on its laurels. Just look at how unsuccessful GBR is at youth sailing other countries are beginning to catch up and run much better programs.
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Posts: 500 		Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 19 at 11:14am
Originally posted by Rupert

The process is sound if you accept the original premis of medals at any cost. What hasn't been good is the abandonment of the also-rans. You could say they are free to carry on sailing just as the rest of us do, but it must be hard to take the end of an Olympic dream. Maybe it explains the foiling moth phenomenon, where kicks are got in another high intensity way.

Elite sport is elite ... anyone who goes down that road knows the score ... 

If you are not making the performance levels you are off the programme; budgets are limited.

The funding is all driven by medals.

I note that they announce the selections on the 30th
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 19 at 10:17pm
The process is sound if you accept the original premis of medals at any cost. What hasn't been good is the abandonment of the also-rans. You could say they are free to carry on sailing just as the rest of us do, but it must be hard to take the end of an Olympic dream. Maybe it explains the foiling moth phenomenon, where kicks are got in another high intensity way.
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Posts: 500 		Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 19 at 7:59pm
Given our recent medal hauls I think the process is sound. 

Edited by L123456 - 23 Sep 19 at 8:01pm
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Posts: 353 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Riv Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 19 at 9:07pm
" Free spirited non-regimented racers that do it for the sheer fun, corinithian rather than low grade professional, offer far more imv."

The question is what do the non regimented racers offer? For me it would be a sense of familiarity, they maybe are people that I can identify with.

What strikes me is this: For any nation to succed in sailing anything at Olympic level the process is:
1) Establish a youth system
2) Select the best
3) Form small sqauds so they can train against each other.
4) Hier top coaches
5) Travel a lot
6) Find lots of money (maybe this should be number 1)

The problem with this approach is that it is not familiar to most of us (some ,yes) and this results in a them and us situation. However if a nation wants to win medals this maybe the only approach that works.

My point here is that elite  sport has few/little grass roots connection and exists in its own medal factory bubble. This is because it has two aims. Firstly to win medals and secondly as entertainment, and they are interchangable in importance which depends on the flow of funds.

Elite sport has lost its grass roots connections and is now a branch of the global entertainment industry. So let's not take it anymore seriously than the latest Hollywood film, fun but somehow over there and distant.
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 19 at 12:31pm
Originally posted by iGRFBack in the day, the last minute do or die event at Weymouth had a lot going for it. Free spirited none regimented racers that do it for the sheer fun, corinithian rather than low grade professional, offer far more imv.
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Much though I would like to romanticize on this notion, as has been discussed on another recent thread, the days that a corinthian maverick sailor can cut it at an Olympic level are long gone, even if the openings

Much though I would like to romanticize on this notion, as has been discussed on another recent thread, the days that a corinthian maverick sailor can cut it at an Olympic level are long gone, even if the openings were to be made available.  

This is borne out by a squint at the J70 Worlds where the leading Corinthian is lying in 13th place ... and this isn’t even an Olympic class.

The reality is that you are only going to cut it if your sailing is 100% of your life, I think that the brutal realities of selection reflect this.

There may be more gifted sailors, who probably would respond better to the coaching that the “squad” members have received, but I suspect that they have made life choices and probably have more complete lives as a result.
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