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Has it all gone too far? |
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Topic: Has it all gone too far? Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:04pm |
Watching out the window of the Weymouth Sailing Academy as the 49ers
set off for their start, and having spent the previous evening chatting with an old windsurfing buddy, a good racer in his day, and now the owner of a 49er recounting the previous days trials and tribulations. I have to say, my opinion is it has gone too far. If Olympic Class riders cannot even get to the start line without falling over in what was the lightest wind day, you have to wonder. We reckon those wing things would be better served as supports for outrigger floats then at least they wouldn't keep falling over. It was flat water, blowing less than 15 at the time, and once they got their spinnakers up and running they looked great, but watching what happened when it goes wrong, especially when it happens right in front of the club house. Doesn't do much for folks desire to go sailing, thats for sure. Now and again most sports go down blind alleys, windsurfing had round boards and DSB's I reckon the 49er is it. A blind Alley Time to pause Unless of course there's some here who know otherwise. And what a shame there are no dinghy sailors left with the bottle to do Weymouth speed week, not surprising I guess if the best example of modern sailboat is a 49er that even the best can't keep upright in 15 knots. Edited by Graemef |
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Pierre
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1532 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:36pm |
A refreshingly honest point of view Graemef, and I understand and to a certain extent empathise with your comments. I will be very interested in the responses.
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Matt Jackson
Really should get out more Joined: 21 Sep 04 Location: Darlington Online Status: Offline Posts: 962 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:48pm |
I'm assuming that 'Doesn't do much for folks desire to go sailing' means attracting newcomers to the sport and I'm not sure that's true. Yes, the 49ers are fairly 'crash and burn' but there is a fairly broad spectrum of classes represented with possibly the worlds most accessable dinghy on the market there. |
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Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36
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Scooby_simon
Really should get out more Joined: 02 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2415 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:48pm |
If people did not push barriers, we would still be sitting in caves eating roots.
So, Graemef, you spotted people falling over, well so be it - they were trying something difficult ! They will get better. |
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Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..
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SetSail
Posting king Joined: 06 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 100 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:54pm |
It also depends a lot on what the sports aims are to the spectating public at
events such as the olympics. It is good that there is a 'crash and burn' element to the sport, as well as the closer tactical sailing you get from the lasers and 470's etc. Gives people a choice which is very good i think. |
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RS821 - Now for sale, PM for details
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redhotchilicat
Groupie Joined: 27 Sep 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 76 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 12:58pm |
Firstly I was one of those guys sailing round sail boards Division II class proper olympic race courses and proper sailing great. However I must agree with comments re 49ers and other high perf skiffy type things it has gone beyond a joke for most abilities of sailors ok the 49ers are meant to be elitist however for the avge punter turning up at a local race finding that there's a reach or two, this can mean only one thing carnage . But a good location for camera boats. Maybe they should fix outriggers onto their racks.......and then get rid of the middle hull ...... and put up a bigger rig with wing mast........ hey then they would have a proper performance catamaran that goes faster and can achieve all points of sailing, without going swimming at every available opportunity. |
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go on you know it makes sense
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snoopy
Newbie Joined: 06 Oct 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 14 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 1:00pm |
I think it depends entirely on the sailor's ability. The 49er is undoubtedly
a difficult boat to sail, so you progress upwards from other classes. The boats falling over before the start, sure its suprising for that calibre of event, but they could've been the less experience members of the class (who are still very good) or for several reasons. The 49er has done wonders for sailing's reputation - they provide fantastic footage and therefore receive a lot of media coverage and sponsorship. Its important for our sport to have media interest so we get more people interested in the sport! On the other hand, there are a lot of other boats, much easier to handle that have also been great for sailing - but different things attract different people. |
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Chris Noble
Really should get out more Joined: 26 Nov 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 710 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 1:29pm |
I'd almost forgotten about your last post which seemed ever so slightly rediculous and sounded very much like the voice of no experience and well i have to say, i hadnt looked at who the author was when i was reminded of that last topic and well, then i scrolled up...no surpirse then. Where to begin, i would however thank you on behalf of the computer suite im sitting in as youve given the majority of folk here a good chuckle mainly at your expense. Mind you the best laughs are always at someone elses stupidity.
sorry guys had to edit it a wee bit and hold back. Edited by Chris Noble |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 1:31pm |
Trying something difficult? There were trying to get 200 yards off the clubhouse in flat water, gybing and falling in, not just one, and these are Olympic Aspirants. The RSX fleet was there, they are only the very best of the best, I've no reason to asume that wasn't the same calibre of sailor in the 49ers. My Chum and his brother, he's no slouch, a previous national windsurfing champion, an excellent helm, with many years experience a fit and agile guy. Trying something difficult? They were sailing, it aint meant to be difficult, the wind and bad weather will do that for you, why on earth design a boat that's near impossibe to do anything other than go upwind and dead down. We have something similar, Formula Windsurfing, its all but killed competitive windsurfing. Its all very well saying its elitist, thats o.k. if the elite can still do it. The elite can't still do it. Its gone to far. Remains my considered opinion. |
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m_liddell
Really should get out more Joined: 27 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 583 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 06 at 1:34pm |
The harder it is, the more rewarding it is when you get it right. End of story.
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