1st Test of Theater Style Racing
Hi Sailors and Sailing Fans,
After the 49er AGM in Poland, the 49er class has spoken clearly that we continue to push the limits of sailing. The mainsail flags looked fantastic. The media coverage was comprehensive and progressive, and the racing intense, as always.
In response to the 49er sailors consensus, there will be two tests of ‘Theater Style Racing’ over the next few months.
The First Test – Option 1
This test will be on August 4th in Weymouth in hopes that many teams will want to participate ahead of the Sail For Gold Regatta. It will be a great opportunity for starting practice and boathandling practice ahead of that event.
Because there is no qualifying to determine who makes the finals, the following formula will be used: (World Ranking + Europeans Finish + Worlds Finish) / 3. These rankings will determine which flight each team that registers will be in. The top 8 will be in Flight A, 9-16 will be in Flight B, etc. Sailor will carry their ranking in as a score, to better simulate moving into the 8 boat fleet from a qualifying series. So #1 will carry 1 point in, #8 will carry 8 points in.
Medal Racing in Theater + 1 on 1 Final
Each series will be given a 90 minute window to race. A schedule will be posted the night before.
12:00 Flight
14:00 Flight
16:00 Flight
Each series of 8 boats will race for approximately 1.5 hours, hopefully 4-6 races. 3rd and 4th will then race one on one for the Bronze. Following that, 1st and 2nd will race one on one for the Gold.
Notes:
a) We are unsure how many boats we can accommodate, but will do our best to make things work for those who want to participate. If more than 32 boats register, we will likely not consider adding a second day because we do not want to get too close to Sail For Gold and take away from that event.
b) 8 boat flights is the number chosen because it is a bit of a standard number for other Olympic sports. Otherwise it is somewhat random, but a good test of this type of racing.
c) The number of races will be limited to 1.5 hours to accommodate many teams getting a chance to participate and learn about this type of racing. It is likely that consensus will push for a fixed number of races in future events, and this is a compromise we’re making for the test.
d) Once the last boat finishes a race the 3 minute gun to the next start will be raised promptly. Each start will be a ‘Black Flag’ start, and there will be no discards.
e) Email Ben Remocker ([email protected]) with your Europeans, Worlds, and ISAF ranking to register.
f) The 1 on 1 final option was chosen as the first test because it is easier to execute than Option 2. We have very limited resources in Weymouth at the time of the test. It is basically Simon Hiscocks + whoever he can recruit. If the class desires we will consider adding a 3rd test around the Miami OCR timeframe.
g) There will be a media boat. If any media would like a spot on the media boat please email us to reserve a space. We will also have a large scoreboard that will be updated continuously on the water so that sailors will know the score. We will attempt to get a judge or judges to do on the water umpiring, coaches may need to be utilized if we cannot get one. Any judges who wish to participate, please email us your interest in doing so. Please note that we do not wish to detract from the sail for gold event there fore any media out put will be held until 2 days after the sail for gold event has finished.
h) We are developing this as we go, so please support our efforts and make your constructive comments on our comment boards. It is likely some details will evolve, so please be open minded to the changes.
The Second Test – Option 2
The second test event will be Option 2, and in conjunction with the Perth 2010 regatta. The format in Perth will be quarter finals and semi finals of 8 boats each. Then the finals will be a 4 boat final with the first boat to win 2 races winning the event. Exact details will be made available as they are developed. All indications are that we will be racing up the causeway where some of the best Aussie 18 racing took place. The event organizers are supporting the event and Barry is coordinating.
Further Testing
Other suggestions to decide the medals include a ‘ x ‘ boat final one race shoot out suggested 4 boats but could be 3 or more.
Dont like the idea of change?
Remember it is a medal race replacement not an event replacement. See below to see the goals we have set out to achieve. We are trying to create a format to appeal to fans and media with out loosing the core principals of the sport. What will be important is to tie each section of the event to the next. We suggest that over all places be taken through to each section as one result. Given a 49er Championship the event would follow a qualifying, gold, silver bronze, top 8, top 4 format. The same day as the top 8 and top 4 the remainder of gold, silver, bronze fleet would continue to race. Potentially these could all be split in to 8 boat fleets and everyone run through an abbreviated 8 boat sail off.
The Goals
In order of importance;
Make for a good and fair competition for ALL competitors.
Be fun and easily workable from an event management perspective.
Test the competitors and produce a worthy champion.
Be easy to produce media – tv / video, tracking, commentary, written, live viewing.
Be easy to follow as a spectator both on site and online.
Have a final race.
Have a final race in which the winner is the final winner.
End on the same day for all competitors.
End with a party for competitors, volunteers, friends and family and guests.
Every one go home happy.
What do we achieve?
We get an 8 minute final that is possible to tune in to and understand without watching any previous races.
We get 90 minutes of racing on the same basis.
We still get 3 days or so of gold fleet racing and 3 or so of qualifying. Depending on a fans level of interest, get more options to follow the event.
[...] and the tv get two shots at exciting racing with the overall winner crossing the line first. The first test of this concept will be tried just ahead of the Sail For Gold Regatta, on August 4th in [...]