19 F16's Registered for Tradewinds

This is going to be an awesome turnout!

Yeah, nice...but, can anyone explain to me how the JR US Sailing event is going to work, in conjunction with us? Are they just going to throw us all in togehter and score them separately, or have two starts, or give them a separate course or what?

One thing I don't want to see is a whole bunch of "Coach Boats" out there! When my kids were younger they were in an Opti Program, at the bigger regattas all these obsessed parents would show up with little Boston Whaler skiffs, chasing the kids up and down the course, yelling, "Tack, Tack, Tack!"

I remember thinking, no wonder kids drop out of sailing! They can never get away from the screaming adults!

That would probably constitute "outside aid" so they could be scored dsq on an protest.

Screaming is an put-off in all sports, except roller coaster riding

From the Youth NOR:

12.5. Unless directed by the race committee, no coach/support boat will be allowed within the course nor have any communication with a competitor between the warning signal for a race and the time the race is postponed or abandoned, a general recall has been signaled, or the competitor has finished

I think it's pretty damn impressive how the class has grown these last few years. Hopefully things continue as such for all the classes.

WTF, Brogger?! Are you on something? The freaky friendly crap is more scary, I think, than the usual black humor!

kiss the ****ing F18's. I'm glad to see that turd starting to sink.

Happy now JW?

I don't actually think that way BTW.

Well I hope all the Parents in the Coach Boats read and head the sailing instructions! I don't want to get run over by a "Coach Boat", or have to duck one either.

Perhaps they could set up a "Holding Pen" for the coach boats, about 500 yards below the start/finish area, and make them all stay in there while we are starting and racing.

I think we're on separate courses. Ask Rick to be sure.

Timbo,

With Andi you'll be way in front all those coach boats ;-)

Enjoy the races and keep us updated!

Gill

I believe we are all racing on the same course and in the same start. I believe us youths will be scored in the fleet of 19 and in addition we will be scored against each other for the US youth multihull championship.

Joe

You may be right but if so the original intent has changed. At first I believe the intent was to run it as two separate regattas. The "blue blazers" are likely to be pissed, but that's a good thing!

I haven't heard anything about a separate course, but that doesn't mean much.

Good deal! Are you there yet, got an eye on weather?

Gill, that would be nice but what I worry most about is coming downwind under spinnaker, hauling butt, and having to dodge "Coach Boats" which are going upwind, but looking backwards, not seeing us, chasing after their kids!

Why can't the Coaches stay on the beach? I don't recall Taylor and Matt needing a Coach Boat, when they were kicking all our arses at the N/A's!

And here's a question to ponder. If a "Coach Boat" talks to the sailors between races, and says something like, "Hey, the tide is about to change, go left on the next beat..." or "Hey we've been watching the wind shifts, it's been going right, so next race, go right as soon as you can, the get on Starboard and get lifted up to the mark." or any similar type of "Coaching", is that considered "Outside Assistance"? Is that allowed per the rules?

I am here.

Its not snowing.

Supposed to be a cold front on the way soon, that means wind!

Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!

Give us info and pics ! :-)

Thats exactly what they do for Opti regattas now, works well. Coaches have to stay below a line of marks that is parallel to the start line until the RC drops orange flag, at that time you can ONLY go up the right side to windward mark (with "right" side being marked by more small bouys or a "pacer" umpire boat). If you want to go to the finish line (the finish line is off to the left), again, you must stay outside of marked area. A bit of extra work for the RC, but man, makes it really nice for spectators, coaches and racers.

Keep in mind 10-15 year olds need a bit more support on the water then "go left or go right", coaches (and parents) play a huge roll in making the sport fun and a positive experience for the racers.

(I should mention all motor boats, coaches, spectators, etc have to be registered with RC on land and get a flag with a number for identifying. This number is also associated with what sail numbers they are coaching / supporting for several reasons, one is safety, RC knows who to call when someone needs help)

It is allowed unless explicitly prohibited by class rules (which I doubt it is, but it is in many, 505s for example). Why? From the time you are finished a race until the next warning gun (4 minutes), you are NOT RACING, hence can do whatever you want within class rules. Same reason we are allowed to change our rig settings, change out battens, etc etc.

Let me flip it this way, if you were racing, and in contention for a medal, and you broke your tiller extension in the first race, would you like the ability to get a new one or not?

AND YES, coaching can be abused, but if you think a coach telling someone to go right will win them a race, you are underestimating the complexity of the sport and the quality of the competitors. Your fear of having to avoid coach boats is fair, but I HOPE that they will enforce a strict zone in which the coach's are allowed to be in (see my other comment for the best working system I have seen in the Opti fleet). In the Opti fleet if the coach doesn't follow the rules the competitors listed as their get penalized... clear rules, clear punishments = minimizing the problems.

Yeah, I'd love a new tiller extension, but I'll have to go to the beach to get it, so, did you bring enough for everyone? So, if I (or anyone else) breaks something out there, can we sail over to any coach boat and get it fixed?


I've been racing sailboats for about 35 years now, and I was an Opti Instructor about 15 years ago. I just don't want to see this regatta devolve into one of those regattas. So stay off the course, and out of the starting area, and we'll be fine...I hope.

Timbo,

do you think you will really be that far away from the yutes? Maybe right at "A" or "C", but I can't imagine the fleet's going to be more spread out than usual on the course..

I would venture a guess that most beachcat parents might understand the nature of these races and stay out of the way (but I could be wrong..)

Maybe what COULD be an issue is the 18 and 16 sharing the same course with a 5 minute separation. That would put close to 40 boats on the course at the same time. Yeehaw!