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Laser Nationals |
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craiggo
Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810 |
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Topic: Laser Nationals Posted: 31 Jul 17 at 9:51pm |
Wow, only 20 boats at the Laser (full rig) nationals. That's got to be the lowest ever surely. We had more than that at our local open meeting!
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OK 2129
RS200 411 |
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 17 at 10:22pm |
Its interesting isn't. The true National have 20 full rig and 70 odd radials plus 50 4.7s, the masters Nationals about 50 of each Full and Radial. Looking at the entry list the true Nationals appears in practice to be a youth event.
I'd be interested to hear whether the Laser CA regards this as a problem. |
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Gordon 1430
Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Jun 17 Location: Lee on Solent Online Status: Offline Posts: 310 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 9:34am |
Youth event apart from Matt Howard. If it keeps blowing the rest have a big problem catching him.
He was Giles coach in Rio and is a real downwind animal in a blow.
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Gordon
Phantom 1430 |
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Daniel Holman
Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 10:37am |
Matt is a very good sailor and has also dominated solo nationals in recent years.
Yes sadly it has been downhill the last 10 years for non youth pathway aspects of laser class. Symptomatic of the chronic underinvestment in the "game" by the builder, who are just milking the cash cow of lots of kids and their parents who still think they are going to be the next ainslie. 15 y ago it used to be a good laugh everyone would party a lot from the Olympic wannabes (for whom the nationals was a "fun" regatta and that was good. Culturally I think te fun element has been squashed in youth / squad sailing which may mean less liabilities but does not make for a rounded fun event that anyone looks forward to. Apart from the u18s anyone over 35 or so will just go to master nationals instead where they won't get cuffed by sixth formers and there may be some social activity. |
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piglet
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Aug 17 at 10:33pm |
In hindsight was the Masters idea good for the class?
My lad is 17, done with squads, still enjoys fleet racing but can't be doing with the pasta and pressure brigade. He would enjoy the masters scene, but has another 18 years to wait! |
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 17 at 7:54am |
The regional circuit open I joined in with at Whitefriars appeared to be made up of club sailors and not too serious, by Laser standards. Some needed to read the rule book a little more closely, though.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 17 at 9:05am |
an interesting point - what this identifies is the chronic underinvestment made by company in the game they should support. I don't think it would be the correct thing to do to open up the masters to 18 plus or 21 plus... that is, imho, self defeating. FWIW - if he's off to university, then there's the BUSA fleet racing champs once per year - which are always good fun and historically, the Laser fleet was well contested with a healthy appreciation of the evening activities. After that, well that's trickier - I guess club & circuit sailing or a change in class are the only options. I am sure I'm not the only one who read Steve Cockerill's interview about the Aero world champs and thought there's definitely a very healthy future for that class coming to fruition. Edited by turnturtle - 02 Aug 17 at 9:06am |
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 17 at 9:12am |
I wonder if they should consider running the full rig Laser Nationals with the masters event rather than with what is now the junior event - or at least not at the same time as the radials and 4.7s. Without the hordes of teens and their helicopter parents the adults might feel more inclined to turn out. Rather hard luck on the adult radial sailors though and every championship needs to encourage the ladies if it wants the best possible turnout.
While I hold no candle - to say the least - for Pushchairs inc, I'm not sure what I would have them do about the problem, if such its considered. You'd think the 20-35 age group would be a key marketing group for them to focus on! Maybe the CA should consider splitting out the proper Nationals from the Junior event, but that means running three championships a year, which is a hell of an overhead even for a CA with manufacturer support. Edited by JimC - 02 Aug 17 at 9:16am |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 17 at 9:39am |
The windsurf racing scene used to run a 'youths and masters' national champs and an open to all series and nationals. Back when I was racing them the youths and masters was a well attended event.
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Aug 17 at 9:43am |
I have to hold a hand up for ignorance on this, but surely there is no actual requirement for a Laser CA youth event on top of the youth nationals run by the RYA? Wasn't it in Hayling this year, Easter time-ish? From an outside perspective, it does rather look like the Laser CA is focusing on their youth sailing market - but hey, I'm not qualified to say if this is 'problem' per say.
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