Roll Tacks comment

Can't believe there's nowhere to comment and discuss the latest thoughts from this excellent column on the Forum - so here's a starter.

Last week (18 Nov) the idea of offering opportunities for similar classes, (asymmetric were cited) to compete against each other was raised to get faltering classes out again (the e.g. was L5Ks, Bosses I think) and also to get similar classes competing in handicap fleets eg using the eg of 49ers, 800's, 14's etc, following the Symmetric Grand Prix example.

GREAT IDEA , in fact so good we used to run it at Grafham SC over a w/end in the spring, but had to cancel it this year as numbers fell below those needed to make it worthwhile for the club

Even worse the Asymmetric Slalom held over the next 3 weekends on dedicated windward-leeward courses (you've already missed the first which was last w'end) seems to be showing a steady decline to the extend that it could be its last season too   

Its difficult to believe that there is a market for this in Scotland but not England (all the asymmetrics can't be on the S coast surely ). If we want to have good handicap racing events which match similar asymmetric classes, then we need events such as ours to be supported to survive. Especially if you want to build a circuit as RT suggests, which can cater for those classes which have a relatively small / weaker class circuit.

On the other hand we obviously need to do something different to rebuild the Slalom series to attract back the punters. Apart from avoiding the big class event dates which clash (eg RS asymmetrics end of season pursuit), obviously.

So any suggestions comments on re-energise the Slalom event @ Grafham welcome - Oh and how about coming to Grafham for a blast with other asymmetrics if you are free over the next few weekends

Part of the problem could actually be the abundance of sailors in a particular class/group of classes in the south. Why travel to sail against a bunch of the same boats when you have a load at home?

Maybe in the North and Scotland we are more used to travelling to find a decent race because there isn't the numbers locally?

Point taken on the travel time/cost/distance constraints - which seems to suggest that generally people are only willing to travel long distances for majors (e.g. Ovi memorial) or nationals (Unless they are REALLY keen) ?

But I can't believe that this applies to the Midlands where we must have a reasonable pool of asymmetric classes who we should be able to attract as an alternative to the long haul south ? So where are you all and what will tempt you to leave the comfort of your own pond 

we have a huge following this year (especailly consider its only been going a year!) for the scottish skiffs movement, its been spectacular. And we even held one of our grand prix travellers in south sheilds to open up the idea to some of the northern areas of england. I just think for big one off events like a forum challenge it would be nice to hold it a bit more central for english, welsh and scottish sailors to get to as conveintly as possible taking into account all interested parties...

seems a gd idea, just have an extra box on the form. Could even make it a roving event, visiting some of the represented clubs on the forum, i realise that this conflicts my previous statements in a sense, but it may give a bit more flexibility some years to sum but not to others and vice vers, it may be the best compromise...