MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Salcombe Competitors?

Just sitting at home wishing I were at Salcombe..... looking at todays lists; a very popular event with a waiting list (?) and 25 of the 120 entrants DNC today?  I hope they turn up for the rest of the event or they will have deprived a lot of other crews the opportunity to take part in what looks likely to be a fabulous week!  Or was it just the breeze that put some off today!!?


Posted: 10/07/2016 17:49:18
By:
I think a large number thought better of the afternoon race given it was the first day!!


Posted: 10/07/2016 19:36:07
By: Chris M
However, still a goodly few not showing in the results despite today's conditions being benign, does not reflect well on the class or the perceived view as Salcombe being an elite event, so you can pay the money but not bother to turn up. Or just jump into your sailmakers/chandlers boat after performing elsewhere. Don't get me wrong , but if you stripped out all the professional sailors, the sailmakers, mast makers and employees of chandlers who are paid to sail to encourage us to buy their latest creations, from the current results, how far down the results do you go to find what used to be called amateurs ?
Maybe there should be a corithian cup for the aggregate winner not employed by the marine industry ..and that goes for most merlin events/ series. Just thoughts...

Best

Rick


Posted: 11/07/2016 22:50:13
By: Rick Knapp
Rick,

With the greatest respect, I don't think you've got a clue what you're on about. The first amateur boat is in first place, and while there are people in the industry choosing to sail in the class they provide to, I can't see a boat in there that doesn't contain someone who wouldn't have had to take time off from a non-marine job, or is too young or old to be of working age - essentially pretty much everyone is on holiday. 

In terms of the taking part - competitors who span a whole range of abilities have pitted themselves against some pretty testing conditions; there hasn't been a race yet without multiple capsizes and a few gear failures. Some have sat races out as conditions were beyond those they felt comfortable going sailing in (it's been pretty windy at times on both days), but on the whole participation is strong and the level of skill and boat handling at the top end is a spectacle for those watching. 

I'd say Salcombe has continued to deliver so far. Still, just my thoughts...

Tim


Posted: 12/07/2016 07:02:22
By: Tim
However, still a goodly few not showing in the results despite today's conditions being benign, does not reflect well on the class or the perceived view as Salcombe being an elite event, so you can pay the money but not bother to turn up. Or just jump into your sailmakers/chandlers boat after performing elsewhere. Don't get me wrong , but if you stripped out all the professional sailors, the sailmakers, mast makers and employees of chandlers who are paid to sail to encourage us to buy their latest creations, from the current results, how far down the results do you go to find what used to be called amateurs ?
Maybe there should be a corithian cup for the aggregate winner not employed by the marine industry ..and that goes for most merlin events/ series. Just thoughts...

Best

Rick


Posted: 12/07/2016 09:07:43
By: Rick Knapp
Hark! Is that the sound of the Billygoats Gruff approaching this troll's bridge? 


Posted: 12/07/2016 15:23:34
By: Alistair

Having looked at the lists things are improved  - most have been out to play!  That is good.  I don't think you can say this is any more elitist than other classes ... unless you are all staying at the Salcombe Habour Hotel of course!! We followed around at the back of the fleet in 2014 and I reckon with our entry fee and cottage it cost us about £600 for the week... elitist? Would have been a lot less if we had camped or shared, I don't think you can argue this is particularly expensive compared to a weeks holiday anywhere else ?!
 



Posted: 12/07/2016 17:03:46
By: Alan3571
Very nice for those of us who are slogging away at our desks to have such a prompt and comprehensive report and results on the day's action.  Thanks Tim


Posted: 12/07/2016 18:25:44
By: John Adams
Have to echo Tim's sentiments. Every afternoon has been chuffing windy and surely it's better for people to sit races out if they think the conditions are beyond them than to knowingly stretch the safety cover?

Look forward to seeing Ricks entry next year :)



Posted: 13/07/2016 08:50:33
By: Chris M
Great sailing yesterday in the morning, but even that race had some tricky moments and you wouldn't have described the conditions as benign.  The afternoon had a pretty hairy 1st run and beat.  As an ordinary club sailor with an old boat I have relished sailing on the same course as the hot shots, even if I don't see them again after the start.  The conditions on Sunday afternoon were too much for me and the boat.
 
Great to have such prompt and excellent reports on what happened at the sharp end of the fleet, keep it up Tim! 
 


Posted: 13/07/2016 08:59:06
By: Andrew M

I was surprised to see Rick's comments. I spent a couple of years in Merlins a few years ago and hope to return once family pressures stop forcing me into singlehanded classes. I do not think it more marine industry aligned than other classes. Obviously it is a highly competitive fleet and squad stars like to race in the class for fun. My experience is that those in the marine industry are not in it for the money!

By my reckoning:

1st helm
6th crew
9th helm
15th helm
23rd helm
31st helm 
 
are in some way allied to the marine industry. These people are hardly dominating proceedings (although Taxi is doing rather well). The class is run by volunteers and everyone at the front of the fleet is happy to share their knowledge or a beer.
Yes Salcombe is expensive and Merlins are expensive but people choose to spend their money that way. Some people drive in expensive cars and enjoy expensive holidays whilst racing a 1979 Laser. Others choose to spend money on boats. If you don't have the money to spend on the boat and want competitive sailing then you can crew or compete for an old boat prize. If the location is too expensive you can stay out of town or camp. There are also very generous owners out there who kindly lend their boats. This lending favour is not elitist, it is the opposite.
 
I'll be back one day - its a great class of weekend warriors.
Mark


Posted: 13/07/2016 13:24:26
By: Mark

Rick

1. 47 boats either retired or (wisely) sat out the Sunday pm race which was marginal to be run at all. I hardly think that reflects badly on the class more that the competitors are sensible about when to race.

2. All those that wanted to be at Salcombe got an entry as a number dropped out close to the event which opened the door for those on the waiting list.
 
3. Salcombe isn't a "championship" event and is supported by a wide range of MROA members of varying ability so you will always get more sitting out races where conditions aren't good.
 
It was, as always, a great week and we should all congratulate SYC for a well run event.
 
Cheers
 
Dave 
 


Posted: 18/07/2016 15:01:31
By: Dave

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