huh.... maybe our point to point races are too long?
I think round Texel draws more competitors, than the US has.
No our point to point races aren't too long. Besides we have every type of distance race imaginable in the southeast so the format aint it. The real question is: Why do so many sail in Europe and so few sail in the America's (which has been debated to death)?
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda "Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
Also note how many boats carry sponsor info on sails and hulls. You don't see that in the US because most people in the US have no interest in sailing events. Different mind set. Not bad just different.
I think the reason why so many more people sail in EU vs. US is...their price of gasoline makes powerboating REALLY expensive! That and they have much more of a "Sailing Heritage" than we do over here. They also ride bicycles a LOT more than we do, everywhere, all the time, not just for exercise.
They are (on average) quite a bit thinner than we are as well, they don't eat as much junk food (Mickey D's and Pizza Hut) as we do, and they ride their bikes or walk to work more than we do.
Americans are addicted to cars and gasoline engines on all their toys (boats, jet skis, NASCAR), always have been, but if our gasoline prices ever get up to what they are in Europe ($6.00/gallon) I think we'll see a shift towards more bikes and sailboats....that is...if our economy ever improves, which it won't, if the price of gasoline goes to $6/gallon!
True, and they USE IT! A lot of the "Old World" Europe doesn NOT have air conditining, in some places they shut down for the entire month of August and go on vacation, because it's just too hot to work, even indoors, with zero air conditioning. When I used to fly to Frankfurt a lot it was hard to find an open store or even a restaurant in the month of August, as every one was 'at the beach'.
As Wouter will tell you, all up and down the coast in his coutry they have catamaran clubs with hundreds of cats on the beach, lined up and ready to go. I think every Prindle ever made must go to Amsterdam to retire on the beach! I've never seen so many Prindles as when I went to Zandvoort! Here, scroll down a bit: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...0CB45E48A4D533F9589AE7E39F1&first=36
Personally, I don't like doing 'point to point' distance races because you need ground crew to move your vehicle/beach wheels to the finish line. If we had a good circular type distance race I would be much more inclined to show up.
The Mug race is good because they'll give you a free bus ride back to the start area after you drop your vehicle at the finish, still no help with the becach wheels though, that and there's never any wind for the Mug race.
Personally, I don't like doing 'point to point' distance races because you need ground crew to move your vehicle/beach wheels to the finish line. If we had a good circular type distance race I would be much more inclined to show up.
Come on Tim, no you wouldn't.
Distance races where the start and finish is in the same location:
Hirams Space Coast 45 Hargar's Run Gilligan's Run Light House Steeplechase RTI Slip to Ship Juana's Mini Macho Man
Do I really need to go on?
More "inclined"... maybe, actually showing up, doubtful
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda "Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
The real question is: Why do so many sail in Europe and so few sail in the America's (which has been debated to death)?
I think it has more to do with lifestyle than anything else. They don't live to work like 'mericans do. They actually have a life outside the office/shop and if I understand correctly, they don't work 80+ hour weeks either. They actually take time off. go figure
So who's got the better quality of life? 'mericans who are mortgaged up the whazoo to afford their new(er) cars, big(ger) house, or those poor little europeans who are out sailing?
