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Women's skiff re-vote |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
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Topic: Women's skiff re-vote Posted: 07 Mar 12 at 6:52pm |
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It's not just bizarre, it could be argued as unfair elitism for the sake of medal supremacy, I mean i wonder how the Kenyan Olympic squad is going to approach twin trapezes for women in future? The Mistral One design had barely made it to the four corners of the globe before they changed it, and now they're considering kitesurfing which hasn't even made it to the four corners of Yorkshire never mind the globe. There's a strong argument that sailing is too elitist for the true Olympic ideals already, but suggesting here more ludicrously difficult boats (however gorgeous)is fairly pointless imv. Surely as a showcase, Olympic sailing should be used for promoting the activity far and wide, not saying 'oh look here's something you haven't a cat's chance in hell of ever doing properly, since we can't and we have our Government and lottery funding behind us...'
Edited by G.R.F. - 07 Mar 12 at 6:55pm |
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Do Different
Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 07 Mar 12 at 7:20pm | |
G.R.F. @ 6.55pm. Very good. Moving with the times is one thing, but does that have to mean going ever more extreme. It could just as well mean a (relatively) simple efficient design which allows Olympians to show their skills.
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RS400atC
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 07 Mar 12 at 7:23pm | |
Leaving aside Beijing, is 49er sailing really that bad? That's an open question, I've never watched a proper 49er race. There are some 'crash and splash' videos on youtube, but that's true of all classes I think. I have watched yoofs in their 29ers going very well and not capsizing much in pretty challenging conditions. I think a few capsizes emphasizes the skill of the best sailors to the untrained eye, so I don't think zero capsizes is always the goal.
I take your point about inclusion of developing countries, but taking part in any high level sport is hard for them, even football which is cheap on equipment and creates excitement at home. There is money in places like Kenya, whether any of it will go to sailors is a different question. I'm pretty cynical about the olympics in general, but skiff racing will be the high point of it for me as a spectator. The cost of the boats is trivial compared to travel, coaching, just not having a real job etc. So long as sailing is in the olympics, we should just make the best of it. I'm sure the ability to sell TV footage acts more in favour of skiffs than 470's. When did you last come home from the pub and search 'finn racing' on youtube? :-) |
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Menace
Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Oct 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 296 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 12 at 8:25pm | |
It's not that bad to be honest RS400 @ C, especially with the carbon rig. I know quite a few mixed teams that sail them, us being one of them and a good boat to sail. If you hit big waves, it gets messy, but every boat has it's compromise. If you sail at a club where there's regularly a big swell, buy an 800, you'll get more from it. Estuaries, harbours, lakes, all awesome for 49ers. People moan about that, but you don't go rallying in a F1 car, purely due to the car being optimised for the track.
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BarnsieB14768
Posting king Joined: 30 Dec 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 126 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 12 at 12:58pm | |
The 800 unfortunately has a stiff pole and the rake is not much (as is correct). The porblem is the pole with kite drives into the wave in front and you end up pitch poling. The thing is, if they pick the right boat, it should be good for 20 years and hopefully we'll see more teams sailing globally. Bring it on.
The B14 id 26 years old and with structured upgrades, the class is still current and a great boat to sail. So any of the front runners should be able to last as long as the base and concept is correct at the start. |
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BarnsieB14768
Posting king Joined: 30 Dec 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 126 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 12 at 1:00pm | |
Forgot to mention the 800 in large seas and at the wrong length to the boat's waterline length. Did it several times in Hayling Bay etc over the years, but does not detract from the boat overall.
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