Wow of all wows............................ Como, 2012.
Forget London, (yes, even forget weymuf) - the Italian Lakes, of the bestest places on this planet for dinghy sailing ( and that is no exaggeration).
Do we know anyone who has a 'famous' boat that could be sailed. I'm too big for a Europe, wouldn't know where to start looking for an O Jolle, too good looking for a Soling (it's the same arguement as for the Finn) and lack the resources to sail a Dragon.
So - it has to be a Dutchman.
Brooksey, hows your Italian???????????? Prego!
Think 2012 'has to be done'........ starting thinking about it now!
D
Vintage Yachting games.
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
David H
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Is it not by invite for ex olympians, or is it being opened out next time?
Rupert
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Michael Brigg
- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Gosport, UK
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Take a look at the VYG site and the situation on entries etc becomes more (or less) clear.
http://www.vintageyachtinggames.org/org/VYGRules.pdf
The constitution published is registered with Dutch law and clear limits entry to an exclusive band. Ostensibly ex olympians but on closer inspection anyone the organising committee choose.
The classes are chosen by an exclusive committee and entries are then made by national organisations for each class.
Less than 5 nationalities entered = "no event." I'm not sure how a class like the Firefly will penetrate this. The total GBR representation at this year's event was just 2 boats (both Dragons, one of which didn't show up, and both having crews of mixed nationality)
5+ entries allows up to 4 entries per country including "wildcard entries" nominated by the national and organising committees. The organisation aims to have @20 entries per class.
My original suggestion that this was an idea formulated by a few gentlemen in a smoking room in Holland appears to be bearing up. I suspect this organisation will turn out to be a vehicle for corporate sponsorship and entertainment, mostly of mainland European origin.
The current banking crisis might well see the end of it's aspirations and I suspect entry will be very much a question of who you know. The entry fee I note is £250 per person and then there are more fees on top of that, so it's not going to be an event for gifted amatuers!
"C'est la guerre" perhaps?? Ah well, tant pis.
http://www.vintageyachtinggames.org/org/VYGRules.pdf
The constitution published is registered with Dutch law and clear limits entry to an exclusive band. Ostensibly ex olympians but on closer inspection anyone the organising committee choose.
The classes are chosen by an exclusive committee and entries are then made by national organisations for each class.
Less than 5 nationalities entered = "no event." I'm not sure how a class like the Firefly will penetrate this. The total GBR representation at this year's event was just 2 boats (both Dragons, one of which didn't show up, and both having crews of mixed nationality)
5+ entries allows up to 4 entries per country including "wildcard entries" nominated by the national and organising committees. The organisation aims to have @20 entries per class.
My original suggestion that this was an idea formulated by a few gentlemen in a smoking room in Holland appears to be bearing up. I suspect this organisation will turn out to be a vehicle for corporate sponsorship and entertainment, mostly of mainland European origin.
The current banking crisis might well see the end of it's aspirations and I suspect entry will be very much a question of who you know. The entry fee I note is £250 per person and then there are more fees on top of that, so it's not going to be an event for gifted amatuers!
"C'est la guerre" perhaps?? Ah well, tant pis.
Michael Brigg
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Michael,
yes but no but.....................
I think that if someone turned up with Superdocious (or an other 'famous' boat, FD or otherwise) that in all other respects satisfied the entry requirements, then it would be 'in' - it would be churlish to say otherwise.
David C will I'm sure give us a better insight on this BUT..... the comment that this could have started out as something of an elitist sub division of the sport has a role model already in that some of the classic yacht racing is just that - elitist.
And as for the e250 entry fee.......considerably less than the 505 Worlds (though you can do the pre worlds as well).
I guess in the end it depends on what the organisers are trying to acheive! (step in here any time you like Dave C and add your 5p worth)
Surely the time to start tightening up on the entry criteria is once the event has already reached 'critical mass' - and not before hand!
Back to Dave C..... as Keith Musto (one of that rare breed of medal winners not from the south coast) was a winner - what happened to his Dutchman? Or that of Roger Yeoman - or Jo Richards? Or, for that matter, Ado Stead's boat (should be able to find that out - he lives at the top of the road!). I suppose 'Shadow' though is a 'non olympic boat?
Is the idea to get the people - or the boats?
D
yes but no but.....................
I think that if someone turned up with Superdocious (or an other 'famous' boat, FD or otherwise) that in all other respects satisfied the entry requirements, then it would be 'in' - it would be churlish to say otherwise.
David C will I'm sure give us a better insight on this BUT..... the comment that this could have started out as something of an elitist sub division of the sport has a role model already in that some of the classic yacht racing is just that - elitist.
And as for the e250 entry fee.......considerably less than the 505 Worlds (though you can do the pre worlds as well).
I guess in the end it depends on what the organisers are trying to acheive! (step in here any time you like Dave C and add your 5p worth)
Surely the time to start tightening up on the entry criteria is once the event has already reached 'critical mass' - and not before hand!
Back to Dave C..... as Keith Musto (one of that rare breed of medal winners not from the south coast) was a winner - what happened to his Dutchman? Or that of Roger Yeoman - or Jo Richards? Or, for that matter, Ado Stead's boat (should be able to find that out - he lives at the top of the road!). I suppose 'Shadow' though is a 'non olympic boat?
Is the idea to get the people - or the boats?
D
David H
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Michael Brigg
- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Gosport, UK
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Yes but no David,,,,
I suppose its the Official name of the organisation that makes me suspect that the three founding members have got it all literrally "stichted" up in Dutch law (along with copywright protection of the event, sorry its that "c" word again Ed)
Here it is in chapter and verse from the constitution,
I suppose its the Official name of the organisation that makes me suspect that the three founding members have got it all literrally "stichted" up in Dutch law (along with copywright protection of the event, sorry its that "c" word again Ed)
Here it is in chapter and verse from the constitution,
The full name of the foundation shall be: Stichting Vintage Yachting Games Organization.
The name of the foundation can be shortened into VYGO.
2.2 The foundation is seated in Wervershoof, the Netherlands.
Michael Brigg
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Michael,
Agree with what you say BUT (gosh, loadsmuch buts in this string) - at least the organisers are doing something other than just pandering to the ever growing ranks of SMOD sailors - and should be cheered for doing so.
If the format, the content, the entry or whatever is wrong, or at the very least, not to our liking, then there is no better way to change it than from the inside. As far as I can see, Brit boats were hardly 'thick' on the ground which is a shame, given our strong history in this part of the sport.
As I see it, the entry would go to the NCAs (National Class Authorities) who then have the 2 places to allocate (assuming that they have boats wishing to attend). One could also argue that the CVRDA could have a stake in this - at the very least by being seen to be active in 'supporting' the classic boats.
If..... and as a change from a BUT, we'll have a big 'IF' - if one wanted to attend, then I'm pretty sure that one could do so by going about it in the right way.
1- First - Identify a 'famous' (in terms of Olympic sailing) boat and either gain ownership of it - or get the use of it (though getting Falmouth to release the 1968 Gold Medal winning Superdocious (have they got the right one there one may ask) may prove difficult.
2- Join the class association and make clear one's intent.
3- Restore the boat, getting loads of publicity along the way.
4- Sail in a number of events, publicing the fact that this is the 19XX Olympic boat and is being prepared for the 2012 'Vintage Olympics'.
5 -Get the boat sailing well. This will be, after all, a competitive event, not a 'parade of sail'.
6 - Get the boat to be used as a centrepiece....Dinghy Show, boat show, BOYA fund raising event.........actually, it could be a marketing wet dream!
7- Start saving for 2012!!!!!!!!
If this all looks to be a lot of work, well then, that is because it would be. But it could also be a lot of fun..... and would be a great way to publicise classic dinghy sailing in the UK.
D
Agree with what you say BUT (gosh, loadsmuch buts in this string) - at least the organisers are doing something other than just pandering to the ever growing ranks of SMOD sailors - and should be cheered for doing so.
If the format, the content, the entry or whatever is wrong, or at the very least, not to our liking, then there is no better way to change it than from the inside. As far as I can see, Brit boats were hardly 'thick' on the ground which is a shame, given our strong history in this part of the sport.
As I see it, the entry would go to the NCAs (National Class Authorities) who then have the 2 places to allocate (assuming that they have boats wishing to attend). One could also argue that the CVRDA could have a stake in this - at the very least by being seen to be active in 'supporting' the classic boats.
If..... and as a change from a BUT, we'll have a big 'IF' - if one wanted to attend, then I'm pretty sure that one could do so by going about it in the right way.
1- First - Identify a 'famous' (in terms of Olympic sailing) boat and either gain ownership of it - or get the use of it (though getting Falmouth to release the 1968 Gold Medal winning Superdocious (have they got the right one there one may ask) may prove difficult.
2- Join the class association and make clear one's intent.
3- Restore the boat, getting loads of publicity along the way.
4- Sail in a number of events, publicing the fact that this is the 19XX Olympic boat and is being prepared for the 2012 'Vintage Olympics'.
5 -Get the boat sailing well. This will be, after all, a competitive event, not a 'parade of sail'.
6 - Get the boat to be used as a centrepiece....Dinghy Show, boat show, BOYA fund raising event.........actually, it could be a marketing wet dream!
7- Start saving for 2012!!!!!!!!
If this all looks to be a lot of work, well then, that is because it would be. But it could also be a lot of fun..... and would be a great way to publicise classic dinghy sailing in the UK.
D
David H
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Very briefly DH is right. If the British FD fleet had bothered to organise someone to attend they would have been welcomed with open arms. Especially so I suspect with a Superdocious. This was the first event and the organizers are very much asking for feedback and comments. I have already spent sometime with them and will no doubt be have more conversations.
If you read though the rules of the event, you will see that entry is the sole responsibility of the National Class Association of the class. Hence a keen NCO = good entry or an apathetic one = zilch. Ex olympians are of course very welcome but it is the boats and classes that count. Having said that, the Australian Dragon was helmed by Gordon Ingate who sailed Tempest in 1972 and on one day had Keith Musto as one of his crew. I think the combined age was 198 but they took 2 firsts. Yes they were small fleets but the racing was very close and the crews there were top quality.
David is right, at least they are trying for an event for "real boats". The whole ethos was real boats with real sailors and the spirit of sailing at the the forefront of the event. It is the sort of event which has enormous potential so I do not blame them at all for registering and making sure a PR company cannot steal it. I can assure you the three named parties are as far from "an idea formulated by a few gentlemen in a smoking room in Holland " as it is possible to get.
Was the event perfect. No far from it although the spirit was certainly there. Having said that, it was the first event and they are prepared to listen. As David says, start restoring the boats and start saving for Como.
This is an event with a future.
CHeers
D
If you read though the rules of the event, you will see that entry is the sole responsibility of the National Class Association of the class. Hence a keen NCO = good entry or an apathetic one = zilch. Ex olympians are of course very welcome but it is the boats and classes that count. Having said that, the Australian Dragon was helmed by Gordon Ingate who sailed Tempest in 1972 and on one day had Keith Musto as one of his crew. I think the combined age was 198 but they took 2 firsts. Yes they were small fleets but the racing was very close and the crews there were top quality.
David is right, at least they are trying for an event for "real boats". The whole ethos was real boats with real sailors and the spirit of sailing at the the forefront of the event. It is the sort of event which has enormous potential so I do not blame them at all for registering and making sure a PR company cannot steal it. I can assure you the three named parties are as far from "an idea formulated by a few gentlemen in a smoking room in Holland " as it is possible to get.
Was the event perfect. No far from it although the spirit was certainly there. Having said that, it was the first event and they are prepared to listen. As David says, start restoring the boats and start saving for Como.
This is an event with a future.
CHeers
D
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Dave,
I guess the first stage of this would be to 'find' a boat!
Now that would hurt - big time.... (having to step down from the 505 and slum it in a Dutchman)
Joking aside, in some ways I'm lucky, for I've sailed FDs , from a very tired Tiptree (yes, an east coast builder|!!) to crewing with some of the best helms, the likes of Keith Paul and others.
So - the trick in all of this is NOT to wait intil the winter of 2011 and then start thinking 'I wonder if................' but actually to start the process now.
I gues Tony Lyall would be the first port of call for info..... even then, you'd probably need a minimum of 6 months to find one of the old 5 ring circus boats. Lets face it, the FD suffered from being too big, too expensive and too 'specialist' to enjoy much of a club racing future once it was past it's best at top level. The chances of finding any of these must therefore be 'slim'.
From the detail you sent to me there is the choice of
1960 - Bill Dawes
1964 - Keith Musto (does he know where his boat went?)
1968 - Rodney P - Falmouth (chained down I guess)
1972 - And again - but boat number.....
1976 - and again again - is this the boat Brooksey has?
1980 - Tallin - no one went (though the RYA had a boat that had qualified. Who was it? (good question there for a winter quizz)
1984 - jo Richards - an FD with big holes cut in the decks that were covered in Fablon
1988 - Roger Yeoman
1992 - Ado Stead
so..... 9 boats (or 8 if you want to be pedantic about Tallin), one we know for sure, Falmouth, one we think we know for sure (stand up and take a bow Brooksey) but the rest.........
HOld on.... am thinking.
1980... Tallin. The brits didn't go, nor did most of the other free nations (excluding the Irish, who did go and took the silver) so instead we all traipsed across to the fall back regatta at Kiel. Now I remember being co located with ken Herve who was sailing an FD - but who could not stand the pace on shore. Well, what do you expect when his local beer is watered down ditch water!!!!
yet another superior south coast snigger!!
D
I guess the first stage of this would be to 'find' a boat!
Now that would hurt - big time.... (having to step down from the 505 and slum it in a Dutchman)
Joking aside, in some ways I'm lucky, for I've sailed FDs , from a very tired Tiptree (yes, an east coast builder|!!) to crewing with some of the best helms, the likes of Keith Paul and others.
So - the trick in all of this is NOT to wait intil the winter of 2011 and then start thinking 'I wonder if................' but actually to start the process now.
I gues Tony Lyall would be the first port of call for info..... even then, you'd probably need a minimum of 6 months to find one of the old 5 ring circus boats. Lets face it, the FD suffered from being too big, too expensive and too 'specialist' to enjoy much of a club racing future once it was past it's best at top level. The chances of finding any of these must therefore be 'slim'.
From the detail you sent to me there is the choice of
1960 - Bill Dawes
1964 - Keith Musto (does he know where his boat went?)
1968 - Rodney P - Falmouth (chained down I guess)
1972 - And again - but boat number.....
1976 - and again again - is this the boat Brooksey has?
1980 - Tallin - no one went (though the RYA had a boat that had qualified. Who was it? (good question there for a winter quizz)
1984 - jo Richards - an FD with big holes cut in the decks that were covered in Fablon
1988 - Roger Yeoman
1992 - Ado Stead
so..... 9 boats (or 8 if you want to be pedantic about Tallin), one we know for sure, Falmouth, one we think we know for sure (stand up and take a bow Brooksey) but the rest.........
HOld on.... am thinking.
1980... Tallin. The brits didn't go, nor did most of the other free nations (excluding the Irish, who did go and took the silver) so instead we all traipsed across to the fall back regatta at Kiel. Now I remember being co located with ken Herve who was sailing an FD - but who could not stand the pace on shore. Well, what do you expect when his local beer is watered down ditch water!!!!
yet another superior south coast snigger!!
D
David H
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
I would dearly love to go, and would be prepared to to put in whatever effort necessary to get a place, who knows by 2012 I may even be up to speed. As I understand the entry proceedure it is as nominated by the class assoc, currently with the FD at two per country.
Obviously this is a way off, but I would be only to happy for you to crew David, your Italian should get us through!!
365 my other unrestored boat should also be eligible, as this was the ex Pat Blake boat originally GBR348 later registered IR8 by David Wilkins which I believe he used to Qualify for his Silver medal campaign in Tallin.
There was no GBR entry for the FD class this year sadly, but there were some extremely competitive boats and crews in the results.
I must say though, that if Rodney wanted to use the boat I would be only too hapy to give up my place, but only if I could be there to see it.
Obviously this is a way off, but I would be only to happy for you to crew David, your Italian should get us through!!
365 my other unrestored boat should also be eligible, as this was the ex Pat Blake boat originally GBR348 later registered IR8 by David Wilkins which I believe he used to Qualify for his Silver medal campaign in Tallin.
There was no GBR entry for the FD class this year sadly, but there were some extremely competitive boats and crews in the results.
I must say though, that if Rodney wanted to use the boat I would be only too hapy to give up my place, but only if I could be there to see it.
GBR74 ex custodian of
GBR384 Mickey Finnale (Taylor,wood)
GBR455 Rubber Duck (Taylor, grp)
FD GBR350 Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious
GBR384 Mickey Finnale (Taylor,wood)
GBR455 Rubber Duck (Taylor, grp)
FD GBR350 Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
To clarify, my Superdocious was the 84' carbon/ kevlar/nomex boat which was built for the man for his last campaign which he subsequently never did.
GBR 365 is the sister boat to the Jo Richards fablon deck job of the similar construction as above, one of three Bob Hoare Carbon /Kevlars, also from '84.
GBR 365 is the sister boat to the Jo Richards fablon deck job of the similar construction as above, one of three Bob Hoare Carbon /Kevlars, also from '84.
GBR74 ex custodian of
GBR384 Mickey Finnale (Taylor,wood)
GBR455 Rubber Duck (Taylor, grp)
FD GBR350 Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious
GBR384 Mickey Finnale (Taylor,wood)
GBR455 Rubber Duck (Taylor, grp)
FD GBR350 Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Brooksey.
Jamie and co were sailing IR5 at Kiel.... have the pic to prove it too! Funnily enough, I see quite a bit of Jamie Wilkinson these days and he has finally forgiven me - sort of. At the time we were preparing for the 505 Worlds, he was gearing up for his FD campaign and the 12 m team (Lionheart?) were based at Hamble. So, the local school ran regular 'fitness' training sessions (which we duely attended, then undid all the good work by spending the rest of the evening at the pub).
These sessions ended up with a game of indoor footy, which was rather competitive (no Sh*t - there was enough testosterone in that gym to send a man to the moon). I rather overdid one tackle and helped Jamie up into the climbing bars...... opening up an eyebrow at the time. Well, if you sail with Pitman in a boat called 'Aggression' what do you expect?
But now you mention it, I think it might well have been Pat Blake who qualified for Tallin (only to be prevented from attending by the boycott of the games). Ken Herve was crewed by Pete Gillies ( a real east coaster if ever there was one).
Slogger Milanes was also sailing a Dutchman, Pete White ditto, wasthat the year they campaigned???? Cor, a long time ago.
Best move on from the thoughts of Kiel week......... else other memories, Eddie Warden Owens birthday, the Jim Saltonstall 'run ashore' and other less savoury moments might surface.
D
Jamie and co were sailing IR5 at Kiel.... have the pic to prove it too! Funnily enough, I see quite a bit of Jamie Wilkinson these days and he has finally forgiven me - sort of. At the time we were preparing for the 505 Worlds, he was gearing up for his FD campaign and the 12 m team (Lionheart?) were based at Hamble. So, the local school ran regular 'fitness' training sessions (which we duely attended, then undid all the good work by spending the rest of the evening at the pub).
These sessions ended up with a game of indoor footy, which was rather competitive (no Sh*t - there was enough testosterone in that gym to send a man to the moon). I rather overdid one tackle and helped Jamie up into the climbing bars...... opening up an eyebrow at the time. Well, if you sail with Pitman in a boat called 'Aggression' what do you expect?
But now you mention it, I think it might well have been Pat Blake who qualified for Tallin (only to be prevented from attending by the boycott of the games). Ken Herve was crewed by Pete Gillies ( a real east coaster if ever there was one).
Slogger Milanes was also sailing a Dutchman, Pete White ditto, wasthat the year they campaigned???? Cor, a long time ago.
Best move on from the thoughts of Kiel week......... else other memories, Eddie Warden Owens birthday, the Jim Saltonstall 'run ashore' and other less savoury moments might surface.
D
David H
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Michael Brigg
- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Gosport, UK
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
I'm sorry, I must have been in a grumpy mood when I wrote that...gentlemen in a smoking room in Holland
It is of course a fine event and I am glad to hear that the Legal registration of the event is more a means of keeping ownership of the event away from the Bernie Ecclestons of this world, than any kind of profit motive.
(Mind you, given the recent scandals surrounding the sexual predilictions of the Grand prix luminaries such as Max Moseley I suspect Holland is hardly likely to welcome them to any post event "entertainment!")
I guess that one difficulty here is that the majority of work being done in the area of preservation (at least as far a small dinghies is concerned) is in the hand of the impoverished amatuer who can't afford the latest high tech equipment and is happy to enjoy the boat's character. I dare say Red Rum didn't race much either after retirement and needed only to show up to open supermarkets etc but even that would generate sufficient local interest to finance the operation of a nostalgia event based mainly on Celebrity.
Another concern I have is how classes that have become essentially single nation fleets are inevitably going to stuggle with the "5 nation entry" rule unless the organising committee can be persuaded to "invite" helms from other (maybe current olympic) classes to sail in a fleet of boats provided by either sponsorship or loan. A Firefly event could be easily and quite cheaply catered for and raced "full on" but I would envisage a fleet of Dragons or Swallows might be a little harder!
It struck me that the classes chosen have in many cases moved on a bit from their days of Olympic glory and boats of true vintage within these classes can only really be of historical rather than truly competetive interest unless restored and effectively rebuilt to the extent that for example Dido (1948 Firefly) has been. So a true Vintage games with truly Vintage craft will be difficult perhaps. As David H has noted alot of money is needed and with that the prospect of sponsorship or certainly wealthy patronage will be necessary.
Needless to say that active class assotiations tend to be run by those more interested in the racing. So how can the UK and other national organisations be persuaded to take more interest in an event that may not promote the sport in their own country?
The Olympics has such an overkill in blanket coverage that even worthy events like the Paralympics struggle to maintain public interest, and at the end of the day Publicity is the Oxygen that feeds Celebrity which in turn draws the sponsorship from which financial success of this event must flow.
So I suppose that Yes, this kind of event does need to have a degree of exclusivity if it is to survive financially, but I could envisage that it would gain alot of support and thereby improve it's success by developing a satelite activity, some kind of rally if you like, for those sad individuals like me who might aspire to ownership of an historical craft. A kind of Cowes week for boating geeks who want to rub shoulders with the upper echelons or at least enjoy some of the feeling of being part of a congregation rather than being a mere spectator.
Michael Brigg
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Michael,
Once again yuo have unerringly put the finger right onto the 'spot'!
You're right - but then there is also the arguement that an event like this needs more exclusivity and tighter restrictions, not less!
At the heart of this is the following 'viewpoint' (for want of a better word), something that really is close as well to the pitfalls that the CVRDA have to date avoided.
So, the VCG gets more airtime and the event starts to grow. So then, some hot shot goes to his NCA and says "I'll go" - taking a modern, state of the art boat with him. This could easily happen in the FD, Soling or Dragon. They turn up, roll over all the competition and walk away with the prizes. And the value of all this to the 'classic' idea is......Zilch!
Compare that with your good self. As a man of some means (according to the popular press, thanks to the new regime in the NHS you're getting paid mega spondoolicks for doing not a lot.... have you thought about a new career in Merchant Banking?) and you find that a friend of a friend has one of the 8 - or 9 possible Olympic FDs. So you get it and restore it with the usual attention to detail that we'd expect. This won't be cheap and in the end, you've an expensive bit of kit, that has a low actual 'value' - but you do get to go to the Games.
Once there - you meet up with the young squad member, parachuted in to to the event in a carbon fibre/titanium/depeleted uranium rocket ship, who you see on the start line then not again until the prize giving.
One of you is there in the spirit of the Games, but will leave feeling shortchanged. That is not big, nor is it clever! The organisers ought to take a leaf out of the CVRDA book and make sure that however they do it, the intended 'spirit' is maintained - at all cost. If, in doing that, they make it 'exclusive', then so be it, better that than a pot hunters dream!
Otherwise, the whole thing just isn't worth the effort.......
Oh dear, that does sound rather negative, when it is not meant to be!
D
BTW - the Firefly 1948 talk IS going ahead, Hamble River SC, one Friday night after Christmas. Do you want an invite?
Once again yuo have unerringly put the finger right onto the 'spot'!
You're right - but then there is also the arguement that an event like this needs more exclusivity and tighter restrictions, not less!
At the heart of this is the following 'viewpoint' (for want of a better word), something that really is close as well to the pitfalls that the CVRDA have to date avoided.
So, the VCG gets more airtime and the event starts to grow. So then, some hot shot goes to his NCA and says "I'll go" - taking a modern, state of the art boat with him. This could easily happen in the FD, Soling or Dragon. They turn up, roll over all the competition and walk away with the prizes. And the value of all this to the 'classic' idea is......Zilch!
Compare that with your good self. As a man of some means (according to the popular press, thanks to the new regime in the NHS you're getting paid mega spondoolicks for doing not a lot.... have you thought about a new career in Merchant Banking?) and you find that a friend of a friend has one of the 8 - or 9 possible Olympic FDs. So you get it and restore it with the usual attention to detail that we'd expect. This won't be cheap and in the end, you've an expensive bit of kit, that has a low actual 'value' - but you do get to go to the Games.
Once there - you meet up with the young squad member, parachuted in to to the event in a carbon fibre/titanium/depeleted uranium rocket ship, who you see on the start line then not again until the prize giving.
One of you is there in the spirit of the Games, but will leave feeling shortchanged. That is not big, nor is it clever! The organisers ought to take a leaf out of the CVRDA book and make sure that however they do it, the intended 'spirit' is maintained - at all cost. If, in doing that, they make it 'exclusive', then so be it, better that than a pot hunters dream!
Otherwise, the whole thing just isn't worth the effort.......
Oh dear, that does sound rather negative, when it is not meant to be!
D
BTW - the Firefly 1948 talk IS going ahead, Hamble River SC, one Friday night after Christmas. Do you want an invite?
David H
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Michael Brigg
- Posts: 1663
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
- Location: Gosport, UK
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Hi David,
The real money in terms of administration of therapy is being made in private rooms in London. In veiw of the nasturtiums you are casting with regard to my own trade and income I am willing to reccomend your services to any of the street of shame broad sheets, if you want to undertake a bit of undercover journalism into the earnings of those alternative therapists mentioned herein before (see Max Moseley.)
I would put in a link to a blog on this but I'd probably be thrown off the forum. (Just think of adjectives like "Blonde, Muscular, masochistic, painful)
Alternatively if you can give me the name of a soft fruit retailer in Hamble then I would be very pleased to come along to your 1948 talk and maybe try to haul in a few old cronies as well.
The Vintage Games...
Winners can't exist without loosers and once this is realised competition gets to be more fun. I'm all for competitive winners if they contribute to their sport as well. Pot hunters are a pain but they usually go away if there is no glory. Its not the competition I'm that interested in, I've done a fair bit of that Its the Spectacle, and being a part of that which I would enjoy. Your first exited chortle on the prospect of Lake Como sort of sums it up. Dust of your Riva Ariston, get your leather Manbag and best deck shoes. Start to use your imagination.
No one needs an Invite to go and watch this thing and satellite events can feed off it as well as enhancing the main event.
It is a great and glorious thing to be born Italian... and Male.
The real money in terms of administration of therapy is being made in private rooms in London. In veiw of the nasturtiums you are casting with regard to my own trade and income I am willing to reccomend your services to any of the street of shame broad sheets, if you want to undertake a bit of undercover journalism into the earnings of those alternative therapists mentioned herein before (see Max Moseley.)
I would put in a link to a blog on this but I'd probably be thrown off the forum. (Just think of adjectives like "Blonde, Muscular, masochistic, painful)
Alternatively if you can give me the name of a soft fruit retailer in Hamble then I would be very pleased to come along to your 1948 talk and maybe try to haul in a few old cronies as well.
The Vintage Games...
Winners can't exist without loosers and once this is realised competition gets to be more fun. I'm all for competitive winners if they contribute to their sport as well. Pot hunters are a pain but they usually go away if there is no glory. Its not the competition I'm that interested in, I've done a fair bit of that Its the Spectacle, and being a part of that which I would enjoy. Your first exited chortle on the prospect of Lake Como sort of sums it up. Dust of your Riva Ariston, get your leather Manbag and best deck shoes. Start to use your imagination.
No one needs an Invite to go and watch this thing and satellite events can feed off it as well as enhancing the main event.
It is a great and glorious thing to be born Italian... and Male.
Michael Brigg
Re: Vintage Yachting games.
Michael,
come now, I didn't see you cast as Queen Gertrude ("methinks the doctor doth protest too much".......). When I was a lad, it was always the case that you never saw a poor farmer! Nowadays, I'm sure members of the medical profession can hardly be seen busking outside Kings Cross for the latte on their homeward journey. Banks may come and go but the pox will get you yet, so yours, along with the 'oldest' of professions (is there much to choose dare one ask) will never be out of work.
But I digress............ there was method in my madness!
Come 2012, I shall hit that megabirthday involving a six and a zero (that is I suppose if the 'quacks' don't get to me first) and yes, there is a point at which doing these things will start to loose the great attraction.
I've a few other 'things to do before 60' on my list........ Salcombe week in the Merlin (again.....) Contenders at La Rochelle....... and yes, the idea of doing the 'Games' is a huge attraction.
By some bizzare coincidence, whilst going through boxes of old sailing stuff, I found some the trophies from Garda.....memories of the Italian Lakes came flooding back. I've raced there in Contenders, 505s, Pirates and Kosars and then, to cap it all, in 14s. If you've never sailed on any of the lakes, then this really is heaven on earth for a dinghy sailor.... just fab, fab, fab sailing in one of the most glorious and spectaular locations anywhere.
So, as of NOW, the Phantom joins the Unit on the 'for sale' list, I'll stick with the trusty Smokers for now and hope that the Credit Crunch eases off in time for me to get and prepare a boat.
Sadly, not only would I want to be there...but I'd want to really do well too...... can one combine the classic ethos AND still want to 'win at all costs' - now that will get the airwaves humming!!
D
come now, I didn't see you cast as Queen Gertrude ("methinks the doctor doth protest too much".......). When I was a lad, it was always the case that you never saw a poor farmer! Nowadays, I'm sure members of the medical profession can hardly be seen busking outside Kings Cross for the latte on their homeward journey. Banks may come and go but the pox will get you yet, so yours, along with the 'oldest' of professions (is there much to choose dare one ask) will never be out of work.
But I digress............ there was method in my madness!
Come 2012, I shall hit that megabirthday involving a six and a zero (that is I suppose if the 'quacks' don't get to me first) and yes, there is a point at which doing these things will start to loose the great attraction.
I've a few other 'things to do before 60' on my list........ Salcombe week in the Merlin (again.....) Contenders at La Rochelle....... and yes, the idea of doing the 'Games' is a huge attraction.
By some bizzare coincidence, whilst going through boxes of old sailing stuff, I found some the trophies from Garda.....memories of the Italian Lakes came flooding back. I've raced there in Contenders, 505s, Pirates and Kosars and then, to cap it all, in 14s. If you've never sailed on any of the lakes, then this really is heaven on earth for a dinghy sailor.... just fab, fab, fab sailing in one of the most glorious and spectaular locations anywhere.
So, as of NOW, the Phantom joins the Unit on the 'for sale' list, I'll stick with the trusty Smokers for now and hope that the Credit Crunch eases off in time for me to get and prepare a boat.
Sadly, not only would I want to be there...but I'd want to really do well too...... can one combine the classic ethos AND still want to 'win at all costs' - now that will get the airwaves humming!!
D
David H