Hi All, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KRWYGYP |
Done. |
bump |
Unfortunately Salcombe week has come forward a week this year to 6th July which makes it very difficult for sailors with school age children to attend. |
It was in term this year - our boys term ended the following Wednesday. That was part of the attraction for us as we could leave the boys behind with Grandparents and have a holiday with our mates! The earlier week suits us better so I guess it can work differently for different people. |
If Salcombe's too early for you next year, can we persuade you to come and join us at Looe for the Nationals 10th-16th Aug. No school holiday problem then and lots of plans afoot for a family-friendly Nats. |
Open to all the fleets ideas and suggestions, please fill in the survey. |
The first planning meeting in Looe for next years Nats will be in mid Oct. Please give us your feedback so that I can go armed with ideas for next year. |
Are there any plans to encourage some of the older boats along to the Nats? I quite fancy having a go in my Smokers but don't fancy sailing round on my own!!! |
There are indeed and it would be really helpful if owners of older Merlins could indicate both their interest in joining in at the Nats and the level of racing that they would enjoy. Either email me or fill in Will and Sophie's survey. For instance, would you enjoy a separate start, championship course minus 1 lap, 2 Discards vice 1? What would make it a good "Senior Boats" champs for you? |
Done.Mama do the bump(!) |
Having done the Welli Nats some years ago in an old ally rigged NSM4 I can say that its quite lonely at the end of the race. The buoys, being used as reference points for wind shifts get taken away, and the rescue boats desert. The race is longer for you because you (me) are inherently slower. The boats are harder too! |
As this year's tail end charlie I quite take the point. However, as mentioned previously, the Tenby figures show that the fleet spread per race was, on average, only 22 mins. Yes, we only finished 2 races, retired early in 1 (conditions too heavy for us)and sat out 3 (my back decided to give up on me)but it was terrific to be on a start line with world class sailors and set ourselves the challenge of improving our sailing. The tail-enders were not lapped in any of the races and places were still eagerly contested at all levels. We certainly always felt in the hunt against our peers. Total time on the water is an issue and the simplest solution will be to finish "Classic" boats a lap early. Safety cover is an absolute MUST. Tenby were excellent even ensuring that a cover boat was provided to shepherd race withdrawal ashore. This will be high on my agenda when putting forward the case for a Bronze and Classic fleet classification. I would like to see at least 15 "Classic" boats at Looe. They will be very welcome and we want to make sure they have a great on and off water experience. |
Duly completed. |
Steve, makes a very valid point, the last boat is as important as the first without all the competitors there would be no race, to alter the buoys etc., before the final finisher is at best discourteous and I submit if protested could result in a null and void race. |
Looe is a great venue and if I do not go next year it will be because of pressure from the non-sailing family to do something involving them! |
Please see the "Nationals Racing" thread if you still need inspiration to complete Will and Sophie's questionnaire. Andrew, I hope that we can persuade you and your family to join us at Looe next year. I am certainly keen to broaden the nationals appeal both on and off the water whilst retaining tradition and a a true challenge for our champions. |
Nearly 100 responses so far and we will be collating results next week so if you haven't done the survey yet, now is the time. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KRWYGYP |
Please keep the surveys coming. The more input the better |