I'm sorry but I COMPLETELY BLAME the starter - when I was a kid 60 years ago we would go on the ferry EVERY Sunday - no matter what it was 2.30PM start. Now I know there was a huge storm BUT it quickly passed and it was a 2 heat day! So why wasn't the second race started after the storm? No wind? No direction? No windward start to the 1st mark? Does it matter? Why not start off a wind? If the time limit expires so what - then call the race off! Remember last year when the starter heard of a southerly buster ON BOTANY BAY and delayed, then called off, the race. What about the cruise liner that was due to depart but he delayed the start last season? what about the times we've sat there in the ferry while that starter waited for the wind to fill in, then he set the course, then the wind changed direction again forcing ANOTHER DELAY. As I say when i was a kid it was" 18 foot long, 2.30 start then they made it 18 feet wide. This is the MAIN reason 18 footers are dying (is there even one new boat this year?). Then you have Peter Shipway going on about big power boat's wash (aren't they part of the race conditions - can't the boats tack or gybe away if they are worried?) I don't blame the sailors - I blame the organisation! Anyhow, I could go on for ages about how there were 3 ferries full at the Worlds and 2 every Sunday and now the ferry is half full on Sundays if you are lucky. Sorry guys, just my 2 cents but I hate seeing the decline year after year of what once was the PREMIER sailing class on the Harbour.
Interesting thoughts. As one who is ten years older than Woody and races regularly (in Scotland) I would say that the obsession with true windward beats can be misplaced on a large geographical course where the boats are going to be well spread out minurtes after the start. It is different in an eighty strong Laser Fleet on an Olympic style course. The start lines themselves do have to be fairly square otherwise everyone bunches at one end (as in the most recent race). As for the decline in the fleet - I am just grateful that there is televised sailing with an excellent commentary at a non international level available for me to watch during the Scottish winter. I love the setting, the history, the atmosphere, the boats and the banter. It is easy to forget that this is actually a millionaire's sport because evryone seems so approachable.
Hold fast.
Hello from Portland
So nice. 3 feet of snow on the ground here
I'm sorry but I COMPLETELY BLAME the starter - when I was a kid 60 years ago we would go on the ferry EVERY Sunday - no matter what it was 2.30PM start. Now I know there was a huge storm BUT it quickly passed and it was a 2 heat day! So why wasn't the second race started after the storm? No wind? No direction? No windward start to the 1st mark? Does it matter? Why not start off a wind? If the time limit expires so what - then call the race off! Remember last year when the starter heard of a southerly buster ON BOTANY BAY and delayed, then called off, the race. What about the cruise liner that was due to depart but he delayed the start last season? what about the times we've sat there in the ferry while that starter waited for the wind to fill in, then he set the course, then the wind changed direction again forcing ANOTHER DELAY. As I say when i was a kid it was" 18 foot long, 2.30 start then they made it 18 feet wide. This is the MAIN reason 18 footers are dying (is there even one new boat this year?). Then you have Peter Shipway going on about big power boat's wash (aren't they part of the race conditions - can't the boats tack or gybe away if they are worried?) I don't blame the sailors - I blame the organisation! Anyhow, I could go on for ages about how there were 3 ferries full at the Worlds and 2 every Sunday and now the ferry is half full on Sundays if you are lucky. Sorry guys, just my 2 cents but I hate seeing the decline year after year of what once was the PREMIER sailing class on the Harbour.
Interesting thoughts. As one who is ten years older than Woody and races regularly (in Scotland) I would say that the obsession with true windward beats can be misplaced on a large geographical course where the boats are going to be well spread out minurtes after the start. It is different in an eighty strong Laser Fleet on an Olympic style course. The start lines themselves do have to be fairly square otherwise everyone bunches at one end (as in the most recent race). As for the decline in the fleet - I am just grateful that there is televised sailing with an excellent commentary at a non international level available for me to watch during the Scottish winter. I love the setting, the history, the atmosphere, the boats and the banter. It is easy to forget that this is actually a millionaire's sport because evryone seems so approachable.