Bram,
While I appreciate your concerns, I will forward the group the chart
the IT guru comes up with for their consideration. Winds build
considerably later in the summer, roughly doubling from July to
August-Sept. While you may enjoy it in August, many of the class may
not. they don't have your skill on the boat.
The wind strength in July is very moderate which is why US Sailing
chose us kids teaching venue.
Before you conclude your limited time down here is the norm, I would
ask you would reserve your conclusions until yo have all the facts.
In the end, it will be a class decision with all sides having a equal
chance to evaluate the data, make a conclusion and to respond.
Keith (007)
On Sep 12, 2006, at 6:10 PM, BDally6107@xxxxxxx wrote:
In a message dated 9/12/2006 12:41:00 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
keith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Solo Folks,
One of the issues the CGRA Board struggled with this last year is
the common perception of the CGRA Gorge venue as a "heavy air"
venue. This is wrong in the same way that Jackson Hole is an
"expert only" ski mountain. Bram is grossly mistaken about his
perception of the CL site as only a "heavy air" venue.
Keith, Cascade Locks is not a heavy air "only" venue. I don't know
of any place that is.
As I offered in my original email, to eliminate the misconception
of some of the members of the class, if the class is considering
the venue, I will compile a wind profile to demonstrate that
Bram's misconception is way off base. Having had this discussion
with Bram on numerous occasions, when I suggested the Gorge after
Mark's comment, I knew Bram would chime in saying it was an
"inappropriate" venue.
Keith, the Gorge is an inappropriate place for a NA for the current
state of the Swift fleet. First, consider the possibility that I
may have a rough idea of the state of skill of the Swift group.
This rough idea has come from attending the two major regattas
we've had to date. There is a common belief that at least 2/3 of
the sailors at any regatta should be capable of finishing races in
the typical venue winds. That threshold is about 11 knots right
now. We are a brand new class in which most of the participants
have built their own boats. These boats have expensive carbon
masts and high quality sails that will not like the shallow water
and current up near the point where most beginners seem to meet
their demise. To send new sailors out for their first few sails in
a Swift in over 8 knots is simply absurd. The skill level rose
considerable from last year to this year and I expect that same
will happen next year. Remember, 17 knots of wind has twice the
force of 12 knots and 24 knots has twice again the force of 17
Second, it is not practical to set the start times of racing or
clinics based on current wind speed. Families on vacation do not
want to hang around all day waiting for the wind to die (or to come
up). Race times and lay days need to be set before the regatta and
racing postponed for more that two hours needs to be canceled for
the day so that attendees can do other things.
As to a Solo regatta being a 5 to 6 year proposition to be ready
for the Gorge, that too is off base. If the class grows, there
will never be a time we do not have less experienced sailors.
There will always be a full range of ability levels. This is as it
should be. In the Gorge, there are a range of wind levels in each
day and from day to day. The one constant is wind. We almost
always have wind at some level. Skunked days are very rare. (If I
remember, the kids got skunked one day)
In 17 knots, approximately 30% would finish the first race and if
the race committee were not immediately ready to start the second
race, that number would likely drop to 20%. That is not a
regatta! We are in the same stage as the 49er class was two months
after the first boats arrived. In 5 to 6 years, the number of
finishers will likely rise to the required 66%.
All of this is not to say the Cascade Locks is not an appropriate
place for a clinic and regatta for seasoned Swift sailors. It is a
great place and we will likely have 5 or six sailors in our area by
next season that have enough experience to attend such an event. I
look forward to coming down in August and sailing in that warm
water and 15 to 18 knots of breeze that has been typical in the 15
or 20 days I have spent sailing there.
Best regards,
Bram
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