Bob will probably post the synopsis of the event in the morning so i will only post the link to the results.
http://www.fwyc.org/Regattas2009/acatna/results.html

Looking over the results a few things raise the eyebrows.

We have

8th Jay Glaser 75/(105) points (first number is with 2 strike-outs) averaging 9th place finishings
10th Ben Hall 82/(112) points
13th Randy Smyth 95/(137) (best place were two 7ths !)
26th Tracy Oliver 206/(272) (best placee were 15th and 18th)

Note that these 4 sailors did not score any ocs, dsq, dns or dnf. They just sailed that way.

What happened ? Why did they get flushed out of the top of the scoring list. Remember these were the guys that are supposedly still a cut above the Tybee sailors but apparently not so with respect to Andrew Gaynor (?) or Craig Yandow (?).

Pease Glaser (6th with 54/(140) and a DNF/DNS), Hodges (5th with 52/(77)), Struble (3rd with 28/(46)), Melvin (2nd with 26/(39)) and Guck (1st with 10/(28)) did what is to be expected from their reputation.

Although an irritating and ignorant know-it-all plus known trouble maker like myself could probably concluded something like this :

-1- Lars Guck simply dominated the fleet with 10 points after 2 strikes and 11 races. (never challenged, depth ?)
-2- There was a race for 2nd place between Melvin (26) and Struble (28) (and only between them, depth ?).
-3- The rest of the fleet being well out of contention for any podium spots (with next 3 scores 42,52, 54)
-4- There was a race for 4th to 6th (between Hodges(52), P. Glaser(54) and Andrew Gaynor; won by Andrew with 10 point margin)
-5- Then it was over. 7th place woody Cope with 72 points after two strikes and 144 without these but incl. a DNF (43 points).
-6- Some well known names are definitely over their peaks.
-7- The mystical depth of talent is not to be found. The scoring is spread out too much.


The scoring looks alot like one for any typical catamaran class. One guy being really good, then some joceling for 2nd and 3rd spot with a second tier "battle" for places 4 to 6. Beyond that the typical "soup"; well out of contention and only battling the guys 1 place up or down.


Note that if everybody only scores his or her final placing that the score listing (with strikes) would follow a trend like this 1st = 9 points, 2nd = 18 points, 3rd = 27 points, 4th = 36 points, 5th = 45 points, 6th = 54, 7th = 63. Anybody else noticing this particular A-cat fleet closely approximating this series of numbers ? The end conclusing can only be that there is not depth of talent as that would typically be associated with a series of scores that would all lie very close together for the first 7 positions or so. This would be the result of everybody scoring the same set of placings although each in different individual races.

It is not that I particulary like being a vinegar pisser, but scientific analysis really doesn't support some of the claims made earlier (in another thread) about the skill level enclosed in the A-cat class.

There are still alot of well known names participating, that is true, but maybe the class is more like a retirement home for former champs then a shining beacon of talent or sailing skill. We all get slower and less skilled with age, there is no shame in that.

Wouter

Folks, the best way to address Wouter's posting is to not respond to it. Please end this thread now.

Wouter never ceases to amaze with his insight....

This thread was only about the results. There is another thread for your post Wouter. That is a thread I will not post on for it is one that never needed to have begun. we all sail our classes for our own reasons and we are not better or worse for choosing what we sail.

Yes, worst post ever. Really doesn't say too much at all, especially for those who made the time & effort to compete and support their class and sailing, as opposed to sitting in front of his keyboard and being critical.

Goodonya US A Class sailors. A great roll-up for a quickly building fleet both in numbers, skill levels and interesting gear. I reckon the results could show that there is plenty of depth because a number of people moved past the proven performers. Then again I wouldn't be so presumptuous to make too many comments because I wasn't there and didn't experience all the conditions.

Well done people.

Cheers
John Dowling
AUS 9