New Zealand to join Team GB

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd Originally posted by G.R.F. They don't deliver anything like what is available, for all the money they waft about That's funny, the rest of the world thinks the RYA provides the model of how to harvest OIympic sailing medals. But G.R.F knows better.

I think GRF is referring only to the windsurfing side of the sailing...

Originally posted by laser4000 Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd Originally posted by G.R.F. They don't deliver anything like what is available, for all the money they waft about That's funny, the rest of the world thinks the RYA provides the model of how to harvest OIympic sailing medals. But G.R.F knows better. I think GRF is referring only to the windsurfing side of the sailing...

Thank you L4000.

Best to read all of the post before commenting Stefan, you must have
missed this bit.. (that'll be a capitol S in Sorry G.R.F.)

Originally posted by G.R.F. Now, they, the RYA might succeed in sailing generally, but most of us windsurfers, think they have failed us, we're the illegitimate child of sailing, have been for all time. They might have delivered gold for sailing, but so far windsurfing has been bronze, twice now.

So as you guys seem to know all the facts how much is the RYA allocating to the two Laser Classes relative to the two Windsurfers over a 4 year Olympic cycle?

That would be a fair comparison as they are all single handed with standard equipment ...

The problem windsurfing has, is that other than in the Olympic field, it
failed to mature into a competitive club scene, other than our club which
retains a large number of the original Windsurfer Class Association
dynosaurs and the seat of the original IWS that gave the basis for the RYA
to take over, there were very few active racing venues.

The RYA, have always dealt with kids, and under 18's, even now, their
emphasis is on team fifteen which, on the face of it although good, and
generating a nice little competition scene amongst them, once they turn
sixteen, they're dumped.

Like their older counterparts if they don't make the squad, they're
cast aside, then there is the normal kid turning adult syndrome, once
they discover their dick and it gets a driving license, they are history.
(Sorry for the male analogy, but it's the same for girls)

They also have a very regimented attitude towards what people forget, is
a sport, a fun pastime, us folk who do it, even now, these thirty years
later, do so because we want to, we like it, not because it's like another
'period' in school, force it on kids, make them obey 'rules' do it for
another entire different agenda and you will reap what you sow.

Sailing mentality is different, always has been, rules, regs, protests, more
'public school' rather than state school kids involved, they are better used
to that sort of regimentation, I dont know, but I bet the wastage is equally
as bad though once they taste free will, they, we're lucky, there's just
more of them to choose from.

Everyone at one time or other bashes the RYA, even though over the
years privately I've always defended it, and to the hilt, as a body it could
be a lot lot worse especially if it ever fell to Whitehall, to occupy the
position it fills.

It's just occasionally the predictability of their stupidity never ceases to
amaze me, we, the windsurfers have foolishly allowed them to represent
us without ourselves having any formal representation on any of their
committees, quite when that came to pass I'm not sure. I've served on
some of their committees during the past, it is a bit 'old boy, old school
tie' in its way of doing things, but for the most part other than incidents
like this, no-ones really interested anyway. I very much doubt anyone's
lobbying for windsurfers or their views, and the vast majority of
windsurfers go about their day to day sport not even realising what the
RYA is or that they are the sports governing body. So they (the RYA) just
get on the way they always have unchallenged, so in a way, we have only
ourselves to blame.

Edited by G.R.F.