 North American 2010
Ashley Morgan Henderson
Maybe not. Although I enjoy what I believe to be jealous looks from other motorists when I am towing my beautiful Soling to an away regatta, I know there are logistical, time, energy and financial prices to be paid for the joy. Others who don´t share that joy, or care to pay the price for it, are less likely to travel to a US Champs, NA, Wilmette Week, or other event. Our fleets´ geographic separation, compared to European fleets, has been constraint to attracting large fleets for our invitational and championship events.
Maybe we can establish a rotating annual event that one or two teams from each fleet can reach by air and use local boats. A "Champion of Champions" event for each fleets´ annual champion plus the US and NA Champions fleet race would be one possible format. A team race among two or more fleets, a round robin match race format, or just a first come first serve fleet race for all USSA members are other possibilities. Heck, why not include the Canadians in that last one?
Annapolis could probably offer a total of 10 boats. Some would require cosmetic and minor rigging work that could be performed by the locals, which would enhance the fleet´s health and promote fleet team building. Hosting by local fleet members would minimize costs, and the benefit would be to reduce the apparent distance between our fleets by removing towing our boats from the logistic/time/energy/financial equation.
Please use the comment option to offer suggestions or objective criticism.
Joe Van Gieson
USA 828
Fixing the blown out tire on USA 834...Paul McGuan & Matt Peters
Ashley Morgan Henderson
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2008 US/CAN Championship in Annapolis...also hosting the 2010 US Champs Oct 22-24, 2010!
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Replies, comments, questions & answers - Login to post a comment
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Good idea
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Matias Collins
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July 22 of 2010
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Good idea by Matias Collins click on comment to hide
Dear Joe, I think the idea is good, it should be through fleet races and it should allow those wishing to tow their boat to do so. This is already taking place in South America where at past South American Championship we had three overseas crews (ITA x2 and AUT x1). There is always a boat or two available to other championships.
Anyway I think young people should try to tow and have fun in this part of the program also, it gives you lots of experience for your future life, the sailing become only one aspect, as planning and preparing for the trip, doing the one, then racing, etc.
Towing is not an issue, but for sure begginers and those who already did for a long time are first affraid then tired of...but in the meantime is fun, it just question to start then at some point with age to get tired and maybe be one of the teams flying and put some use the idea described in your article
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The key to grow in different areas are based on the amount an the efficiency of the volunter work in each fleet, and also the tradition and the objectives sailing, at our class now in the US, the main problem falls just because owners are not into racing anymore, or at least not into making an effort to race, because generally events are really fun, sailing level due exist in the class, many of the new owners have never the teaching for traveling and racing, so they are not aware how fun can be, etc.
And those who got tired to race or never raced, should either move into a better boat for that purpose, or if the Soling is so much loved, let to be sailed by someone else uring the events, etc, that would grant their boats to be uptodate, in working conditions, etc.
Those interested in sailing in Argentina, just let me know to which event and I get you a boat for sure. And those wishing to sail in Europe too, we were close to get Steve Dolan sailing at the Masters, the idea still is in the air, but we are chasing the possible boats.
Magazine is traveling soon..
hugs to all
Comment by Matias Collins on July 22 of 2010 |
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