New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Solo Nationals
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Solo Nationals
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 45678 10>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
eric_c View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 21 Jan 18
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 382 		Post Options Post Options   Quote eric_c Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solo Nationals
    Posted: 31 Aug 21 at 7:56pm
Originally posted by Rupert

Originally posted by H2

Now it all makes so much more sense! I have been trying to work out where some of the more vocal people on this forum are coming from when they opine on the issues facing our sport and their views seem so detached from what I hear from those that are out there racing - they do not even go to the nationals!! Makes total sense now.


Been to dozens over the years from 100+ Firefly & Merlin Nationals since the 80s, to smaller inland based champs for many singlehanded classes, various asymmetric classes and Classics Nationals, so no stranger to champs. These days I spend my weekends running training at a sailing club, so chances to travel are few.
My apologies if my view of large sea champs doesn't tally exactly with your own. No wonder we have few people posting if their views get shot down by pillocks like you.


I get where H2 is coming from, there are a few people on this forum who come across as 'anti'  class racing, anti the established classes etc. So sl*gging off a 'nationals' is a big grin for them. I've done a few 'nationals' in my time, all in relatively high-end classes. Finished in the bottom quarter of all of them I think! Great learning opportunities. Great to have a week focused only on OD racing.Good times with good people. These days I am more likely to be on the other end of the starting cannon, so take a keen interest on other RO's challenges and mistakes in the hope that if we REALLY cock it up we will at least be able to claim something original. I have to say that Mounts Bay is top of the list of clubs I don't want to go back to, when it comes to caring about 'are we doing a good job for the paying competitors and giving value for money?' their attitude seemed to be the wrong side of Cowes Week. That plus it's 'high risk' in terms of weather, good chance of either being blown to bits or sat in the doldrums. There are reasons why people in Cornwall wanting regular racing tend to sail in/out of harbours or in bays not exposed to wind straight from America.   Like certain ponds inside the M25 some clubs only see visiting sailors as a cash cow. Other clubs are all about racing sailors wanting to reciprocate the hospitality they had elsewhere and put on an event that maintains or advances the host club's reputation. To be fair, class associations have a big influence too, the proper 'circuit classes' generally seem to have more in common between the hosts and competitors, because the hosts can at least remember being competitors.
Back to Top
sargesail View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1459 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sargesail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 21 at 8:00pm
+1 Agree with pretty much all of that.

Would add that our experience of championship racing out of Penzance SC has been better than MBSC - on the same waters. And at one of the champ weeks we’ve done there the surf on Mounts Bay beach would probably have prevented launching on any day. We had a fab time in the big swells off Penzance.

Only drawback is the space which limits the fleet size.
Back to Top
sargesail View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1459 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sargesail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Sep 21 at 8:04pm
Originally posted by Rupert

Originally posted by H2

Now it all makes so much more sense! I have been trying to work out where some of the more vocal people on this forum are coming from when they opine on the issues facing our sport and their views seem so detached from what I hear from those that are out there racing - they do not even go to the nationals!! Makes total sense now.


Been to dozens over the years from 100+ Firefly & Merlin Nationals since the 80s, to smaller inland based champs for many singlehanded classes, various asymmetric classes and Classics Nationals, so no stranger to champs. These days I spend my weekends running training at a sailing club, so chances to travel are few.
My apologies if my view of large sea champs doesn't tally exactly with your own. No wonder we have few people posting if their views get shot down by pillocks like you.


He’s not the one calling someone a pollock!

Too strong!

For me better a bad champs than a great club race….and they’re all better than anything else I do!
Back to Top
Paramedic View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 27 Jan 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 21 at 7:38am
Originally posted by sargesail

 

He’s not the one calling someone a pollock!

Too strong!

For me better a bad champs than a great club race….and they’re all better than anything else I do!

TBF I thought it was a pretty stupid thing to say, I just didn't say it. I would say the same about A2Z's post too unless he's been to a recent champs and not enjoyed it - I find it hard to believe such a universally bad experience, though it isn't for everyone. What he doesn't see - and neither do you I don't think - is that if members clubs all get fed up of putting on events for very little return to their membership in either income or participation you are going to be left with about four venues to choose from.

Circuit, circuit, circuit & pathway, pathway, pathway is a very blinkered approach. You think the racing at your club is no good? Do something about it. Club doesn't want to know? Find another. 

If you don't promote racing at your home club don't come come complaining when clubs don't want to host you.


Edited by Paramedic - 03 Sep 21 at 7:47am
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6661 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 21 at 8:08am
Dammit guys, why not start arguing over which is better, chalk or cheese...
Back to Top
Sailerf View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 26 Feb 17
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sailerf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 21 at 12:16pm
13k is that not enough to expect a rational race officer and team? Or can they still hide behind the word volunteer?  
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: 03 Sep 21 at 12:25pm
Originally posted by Paramedic

I would say the same about A2Z's post too unless he's been to a recent champs and not enjoyed it - I find it hard to believe such a universally bad experience, though it isn't for everyone.
Not for the last couple of years for understandable reasons. But fairly regularly- which indicates I don’t hate them, or at least live in hope that the next will be better!  But my experience is that they are often/usually frustrating for one reason or another, and this Solo event is not that out of the ordinary.  I pick more selectively now.
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: 03 Sep 21 at 12:37pm
Originally posted by Sailerf

13k is that not enough to expect a rational race officer and team? Or can they still hide behind the word volunteer?  
OK I'll bite, tell me perlease that is not the going rate for a team to run a nationals when I ran an entire Europeans for free?
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
Sailerf View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 26 Feb 17
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sailerf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 21 at 3:47pm
That is the cost to the Solo Association as I understand it but I maybe wrong. But you get my point. As I understand it the Pro at the Merlin's and Osprey's did not leave with too many new friends this year either. With that in mind is it not time there was a degree of accountability for entrants. It not a cheap affair in accommodation even before you have brought a boat or even got there. Most of us appreciate the effort that volunteers bring and give but there does need to be a much greater deal of professionalism from the Pro and maybe they should be paid. 
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6661 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 21 at 4:58pm
The trouble is hiring a full on pro is going to bring with them a spectacular escalation in costs, and with it a drop in attendance - and thus yet more expensive entry fee. I imagine a full on pro race officer would be getting on for £1,000 a day, maybe more with expenses, which is a fair lump to add to that 13K.

In all the champs I've attended I can only recall a couple of instances of widespread dissatisfaction (other than weather problems), and at least one of those was a situation where the organisation did something that was technically 'correct', but not in the opinion of the competitors the right thing to do. If (very big if) my understanding of the lost race at the Solo Nats is accurate then again the RC and then the PC were technically correct in scoring everyone DNF, but it could be argued it wasn't the best thing to do.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 45678 10>

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