One or two day open events

With the up coming birth of my second child i am going to have an embargo on two day open events (by order of the wife)  This was the reason i sold the 300.  Just wondering on what everyone else preferred really?  I would normally set up a pole but as we are coming up to 2010, poles seem so last (or this year) 

 

For me i would prefer to travel 250miles round trip in one day then have to spend the whole month in the dog house for staying over.  If my family circumstances were different then so would my point of view, as there is nothing better then a few beers with your class colleagues.

I would rather a mix, then if the brownie points allow I can do both days but then if I can't I can still compete. 

In an ideal world I would set all opens to be 2 days with 4 races to count from 6 and 2/3 price to enter for 1 day.

That way if you are a serious contender you can get close and if the weather doesn't play there is a some flexibility.

You will all ways get your hard core competitors that want to do the entire weekend but the above allows 1 day only people to compete as well hopefully swelling numbers.

I draw the line at 2hr drive each way for a 1 dayer and 4hrs each way for a 2 dayer. People wont travel as far for a 1 dayer so if you are having them make them central so that they are not too far for everyone.

Hmmmm, its a toughy. Living in south Devon, unless the event is in my town (unlikely) then I am going to be facing either a long drive, or a really long drive!

The thought of travelling somewhere for the day really doesn't appeal. As it is, even for a 2 day event I would try and sneak out of work early on Friday to get to the area, then hit rigging fresh in the morning, hit the beers Saturday night, sail sunday and then get back home in time for Top Gear on Sunday night.

I know the Supernova class were doing some weekends where they do a training day on the Saturday and then a class event on the Sunday. This seems like a good idea as people who can only do one day can make the racing, people who aren't very good can make the training, and those who can make both days can use their new found knowledge on the race day. As far as I know these events have been quite successful.

South coast laser circuit tries to put local events on the same weekend so get two days of sailing on offer but if you can only do one day its fine.  Dell Quay and Chichester opens are just one example of 2 opens that are usually on the same weekend as they are soo close together.  Either club is happy to store your boat overnight if you do both.