When I stepped into the EC12 from the RC Laser four + years ago I certainly felt that I was graduating to higher learning and into a class that was pretty set in its ways with traditions, top skippers galore and an attitude that said: “we do it this way.” I just went along with the flow and raced when I was told to race. Not all of the racing was fun and not all of the time was spent racing. So I agree with some who say that traveling to a P/R NCR may not give you much sailing time and others that are looking for a format that increased sailing time.
For the NCR lately that has changed. No measurement mandate; A Natl Seeding List + a couple of seeding races to right adjust the fleet and, in 2014, a departure from Promotion/Relegation to the CESS Pool method that added the element of racing with the best every other race. When we went home with a 24th place we at least got to say we stood on the line with the big boys and bantered and laughed as we wound up the timer. It was more fun than P/R for sure. And, the best guy won.
I agree with Chuck on travel. If I go to St Augustine, I want to race a lot and I think limiting the # of competitors is relative to the venue (the line, the course, the control area). Whenever you have 3 fleets, down goes the number of races sailed. But there are ways to speed up the two fleet system.
I think it might be time to view the NCR as an opportunity to encourage more diversely skilled skippers to come and race. Refresh your memory with Scot Rowland’s article: [url]Attending the NCR.[/url]
http://ec12.org/Regattas/Attend.htm Why not provide a Gold and Silver Fleet competition as Nick Mortgu has championed in the RC Laser Class the past two years. The Lasers do it over 2 days. The EC12 has a three day NCR so the first day would be a few seeding races to right size the fleets then they are now divided into Gold and Silver fleets. Sail the Gold fleet with 2 back to back races. After that, the Gold comes out of the water and has a break. Put the Silver Fleet in the water and do the same thing, alternating that format for another two days. In the end, you have prizes for 2 fleets and more go home with something including a better feeling of competing against skippers of similar skills. Might this method encourage more to show up?
I can tell you this strategy tones down the “serious competition” and makes the atmosphere friendlier and more supportive of everyone competing. Is it now time for the EC12 Class to show others that we are not the stuck up class and are open to try some changes that welcome new people?