I would like to begin a debate on the merits or otherwise of the Regatta format as proposed by Jim Kaiglin which is a better alternative to the system voted on to replace the Promotion / Relegation format used at all Regional events for its fairness for all participants.
There were two main reasons stated for the change from the P/R to the Gold / Silver fleet system a)<b>Larger participation at regattas</b> due to longer rest periods between races making the event more manageable for some. b)Some folks on the Bubble complained about the <b>hectic pace with little rest between races.</b>
The format adopted was to do away with the pre-races and use the last 3 scored regattas to determine the position and fleet participation for each captain. A captain could also choose to sail in the Silver fleet by selecting B in the NOR application.
In my view the two fleet system will not necessarily improve the attendance at Regattas as most of the regular regatta sailors voted to continue the P/R system.....also Captains having to travel a long way to attend a regatta knowing that they will sail the Silver fleet may opt to stay away.
Note also...Only captains sailing the Gold fleet are elligable to win the Florida Championship Trophy or be invited to sail the Champions Regatta.
I am sure we can go on and on so in order to get to my point I would like to offer we vote a compromise solution for next years Florida Championship Regatta Format . This is the one originally posted by Jim Kaglin called the Modified 2 Fleet system:Here is Jim's Letter where he discussed his porposal:
<i>I totally agree with all of the benefits of the 2 fleet system, except one. That one being that I or anyone else could show up to a regatta and have no chance of winning, or contending, or even getting to sail in the same fleet with the best sailors. The benefits of the 2 fleet system, of which I totally agree are:
1. Not having to take your boat in and out of the water as much. I am probably one of the younger guys who sail these boats, and I have trouble getting my boat in and out of the water.
2. More racing, more races.
3. You don't have to think what fleet your in if you are on the bubble as in P/R. At The Valentines regatta Feb 2010, I found myself sailing
six races in a row, until I finally settled down in A fleet.
4. The Silver fleet encourages older sailors or less competitive sailors or new sailors in a less intensive way to compete and without worry of messing up a top sailor.
5. Gives out more trophies - I got several Silver fleet trophies, and won The Villages Silver Fleet in 2009. I like getting trophies too. That is great. I am totally for that.
6. There will be a long break between races, you can work on your boat, change rigs, relax, take pictures, etc.
7. Less work for race committee.
However, I can see already that the proposed system is a little complicated with calculating averages, no shows, tie-breakers, competitors from other fleets who want to be worked in, etc. It seems like there would be some funny math and discretionary decisions being made. It also seems like there would be quite a bit of work for the race committee figuring the separate fleets.
To pull a quote from the above proposal, "The list would then be put in descending order from top to bottom using the average of competitors previous three regattas in which they competed. If a competitor has not competed in three regattas, the average of regattas sailed will be used." This might be the fairest way in going back to the old 2 fleet system. But I would think that those sailors from other associations, probably being the more dedicated and competitive, would most likely bump a sailor "on the bubble" to the Silver fleet. Does anyone have a count on those sailors from other associations? Would it by like one occasional person, or could it be 4 or 5 sailors showing up at one regatta.
Third, I called my original proposal the "Modified 2 fleet system." I think this should be looked at again. It allows for all of the benefits of the 2 fleet system, but gives anyone who shows up to a regatta a chance to win, or at least sail with the top sailors. My idea was that there would be 3 heats (6 seeding races). Then during lunchtime, the scores would be tallied, the cut would be made, and the top half would be the Gold fleet and the bottom half would be the silver fleet. Simple, straightforward, no averages, no allowance for out of towners, etc. You have to race your way into the gold fleet. For the gold fleet, these races would count and be carried forward. The silver fleet would start fresh. Then for the rest of the regatta, we have the 2 fleet system, all of the benefits of the 2 fleet system, but fair for every sailor who shows up for the regatta, the "Modified 2 Fleet System."
I ask that the Modified 2 Fleet System also be added to the slate as an option to be voted on.
</i>
Please let us consider adopting Jim's proposal for 2012.
Irish-aye