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Topic: nationals 2007 |
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Lloyd Walker |
Posted: 01-Jun-06 21:55 |
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So I thought I'd start the ball rolling regarding the nationals '07.
For those not at the AGM it was suggested that it might be time to try a later date for the nationals.
I will try to give an un-biased apraisal of the cases so far.
(1) The bank holiday in May is too early in the year and means that there is not much to look foward to of such importance for the rest of the season.
(2) May clashes with student exams.
(3)The weather in late May has proved to be unreliable. ( too windy at Broadstairs on the Saturday too light on the Sunday)Windy at Hayling.
(4)August bank holliday was suggested.
(5)Some said bank holidays were for family
(6)Some suggested taking a couple of days off to make a long weekend in July or August.
(7)Some said it was hard to justify taking holiday others thought it would be easier and free up the bank holiday for other things.
Well hopefully that will get some sort of debate going. I think there was a proposal of having some sort of consensus in the end so it might be an idea to hear what people think. |
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Mark Dowling |
Posted: 02-Jun-06 17:36 |
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I would be prepared to take a day or two off and think that early July late June would be good - think August will be taken up by family hols - would prefer to use a proper sailing club ie not Weymouth/Hayling (£2.64 a pint!) somewhere like Whitstable or Broadstairs, Thorpe Bay, Stone etc - also important to get a race officer who has at least a slight grip on reality...... |
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Annie |
Posted: 02-Jun-06 19:09 |
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The only problem with early July and late June is that us teachers are not allowed to take time off during term time, and I do believe there are a few teachers involved in both the Buzz and ISO class. |
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Stuart Buzz 1027 |
Posted: 03-Jun-06 01:02 |
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Hi all,
Annie, i believe you teachers get a long holiday from the end of July until the begining of September so perhaps we should have our Nationals then? I know you teachers try to say you have to plan for the following year but i'm sure it's just a month of doing nothing really!!
I would do the Nationals whenever they are and would be quite happy to take a couple of days off work to do it, as i did this year, but for a day in Portsmouth (was meant to be for a practice sail but too windy!!).
The venues mentioned above sound good, alternatively Brightlingsea has always provided me with some good sailing in all sorts of conditions. There is also a campsite right next to the club and quite a nice town to venture into. For the Blaze Nationals last year they went to great lengths to make sure everyone had a good time.
Well we've plenty of time to sort this out and i'm happy to check out venues in the South East to make sure we've a good location next year.
Stuart.
Buzz 797. |
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Annie |
Posted: 03-Jun-06 09:03 |
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Don't forget the issue of the Euro cup. If we move the date of the nationals then how will that affect the Euro cup dates and turnout?
I'm all for the nationals being in July/August as I do feel that May is a little early in the season to be searching for a national champion. And the weather is more reliable. |
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Penny Eyre |
Posted: 05-Jun-06 21:05 |
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This may be a bit controversial - but do we need to have a European Championship every year?
If we alternated the Nationals and the Europeans each year, and worked hard at getting numbers up for these two events and added an extra open event for 'training purposes', then there should be enough months in the year to fit everything in and satisfy most occupations.
How about a Nationals in October (half term)? Practically guaranteed winds, usually warm-ish (!), no exams for the younger crews, teachers are all on holiday and everybody should feel ready. Even Chris Hardcastle should have got his boat back together by then!! (sorry Chris - should get a reaction though!)
Penny
Buzz 987 |
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steveb |
Posted: 06-Jun-06 08:53 |
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The Eurocup is the best event on the callendar. Only if attendance fell right off should it, perhaps, not be held annually. |
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paolomoncia |
Posted: 07-Jun-06 10:50 |
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I agree with Steve! See you in LaRochelle
Paolo |
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Chris H Buzz1040 |
Posted: 18-Jun-06 00:32 |
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Penny I'm here, what sort of reaction do you want !!?
The boat is fine, it's the crew that's the problem. If it's not the crew it will be work. I've been putting in some silly hours recently, in fact I was there this afternoon. Look out for the BT ads from 21st June.
We've been out twice this year, the second time last weekend and hopefully later today, Sunday. Don't want to push the crew too hard and undo all that expensive physio, especially as we have travel and accommodation booked for La Rochelle.
I think the Eurocup should be held annually as mentioned above.
I though our Nationals at Restronguet went pretty well last year, apart from some minor behind the scenes hiccups and club impositions. |
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Penny Eyre |
Posted: 19-Jun-06 18:08 |
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Hi Chris
Good to hear from you again!
I agree that the Nationals went well last year - August is a good time for us, particularly if the Europeans remain in July. The debate is over exactly when the Nationals should be held as feeling seems to be that May is too early but August for many is 'family time'.
Hopefully Pete's questionnaire will draw out the majority vote. The key is to maximise turnout at every event, and not jeopardise one by being inflexible with another.
Penny
Buzz 987 |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 28-Jun-06 20:44 |
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OK - here's my 10p in the pot. The main concern seems to be that end of May is too early in the year to have a Nationals - so why not delay it until later - August / September / October. August upside - it avoids exam time and is in holiday time for both students and teachers in August. Downside - wind can be rather lacking / fickle / people just away on holiday. September - back to term time. October - limited to half term week around 22nd for a 3 day event. Wind can be highly variable being the equinox from the full on 30 / 35 mph we've had at Datchet 2 years running  to very light - ( just like end May really !!! )
So no pleasing all of the people all of the time.
Eurocup - suggestion of not running it every year. H'mm - that would be a pity but I can see the point. My feeling is that we would lose touch with our newly enthused European fleets if we did so.
For me a mid August time slot would be better as it gets away from the peak travel time we have at present - although that hasn't proven too painful once the other side of the Channel. Comes down to what the venues can / will offer.
Inlands - could run at almost anytime.
Lateral thinking - if May is too early but a good time BH and weatherwise ( usually ) or end July / August better for some - how about :-
1 We extend the season at the beginning of the year - Nov / Jan / Feb / March with either inland waters Class events or Class starts / results pulled from events such as the November Grafham Slalom, Hoo, Datchet Winter Warmer or similar elsewhere. Results to count towards the Inlands and Nationals trophies - lets assume we can work out an attractive points system. Overall aim being that our season starts in November or January rather than mid April - then objections to a Nationals mid calendar year go away.
2 Better still if the winter events were regional with regional winners - that way events clashing is less of an issue and Regional Reps make a point of leading the attendance. ??Rep of the Year points to reps for highest attendance in their area??
3 Nationals could then be a 2 day event on any weekend we can get / want in May through October - the "Nationals" as such comprising say 5 or 6 days worth of racing from other events with the old day trophies being polished up and awarded again - at the Prize Giving on the Nationals weekend.
Would this give a better test of sailing skill over a wider weather and water conditions range with greater opportunity - and incentive - to attend more events as well as making the term National Champ more meaningful ???
Eurocup - could we persuade our friends across the water to do something similar - including perhaps one of our South Coast events being included in the Eurocup series to encourage them to come to us ?? There's a skiff event somewhere near Paris that might be useful the other way round before the Eurocup itself.
Inlands - aimed originally, I believe, at determining a winner just sailed on inland waters. October seems to have proven to be a good time for weather and attendance. Is there any mileage in considering an Inlands weekend as we have now - but somehow including results from other inland venues - like the ones above from the beginning of the season - ending up with Inlands Champ based on say 3 to 4 days worth of racing ??
Not a simple solution - but part of my thinking is to encourage a much higher attendance regionally and at the non major events such as Brightlingsea where just 5 boats turned up.
Now how's about some debate ??
Bob |
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paolomoncia |
Posted: 29-Jun-06 09:58 |
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I agree with Bob on some points, but don't feel that a multi-event Eurocup will be a good idea. The Eurocup should attract people from all Europe, ideally, which means long travel (you know it!)... something you can do once in a year, at least most people will not be able to attend more than one or two events. I think it is better, when you have a long road to travel, to stay in the location for some days and sail longer, and that's all.
However, it may be interesting to have a global point system including several events, local or Nationals or Eurocup, with a year Ranking list. If all events count, but you choose only the 3-4 best results, it might attract some of us to your events, too.. I guess we can discuss this in LaRochelle with a pint in our hand! |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 29-Jun-06 18:49 |
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We do have an overall winner each year - just that we have not constructed a league table. The series is called the Multi Gala. The link below shows the last overall results table I have on the website from 1999. Hey, we used to have prizes for the series winner - a free part ex for a new boat! Individual events had prizes such as sails and foil / wing bags etc!! They don't make events like that anymore by 'eck!
http://www.isoracing.org.uk/events_results/results/1999/1999_gala_tot
al_results.htm
http://www.isoracing.org.uk/events_results/index.html Scroll to the bottom to see the events from each year.
Pre ISO website, we used to have about 4 Eurocup events throughout the year. Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, UK all played a part at some point. I suppose that people were just keener then and there was also less classes of such high performance for £, doing such a thing.
I'm not sure about this multi event nationals as yet. Might need some convincing / more discussion.
[Edited by Pete Lindley on 29-Jun-06 18:49]
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