BlueFinz Fromula Series

[P.J.]

Sukhdev

Thye Hock brought up a very good suggestion to start and discuss how we should start a Formula series in Singapore. Since this is the first local forum all interestd sailors ( from various clubs ) can put in their names and suggestion how it should be run. We can also sign our commitment and contribute our part to make it successful.

Let's start

P.J.Su ( PA )

[sukhdev]

Great idea, something thats been cooking on my back burner for a while. I'd suggest the following:
- 1 race a month, each month hosted at a different club.
- Open class for everyone
- A handicap system so that new racers can see their relative improvement through the series
- Prizes for open, ladies and "most improved"

Format should be either course (triangle, or just one mark upwind/downwind) or slalom (figure of 8, long reaches). Rules should be simple, race is run as long as "suitable conditions" exist..ie at least 1/3 the fleet is planing.

Most of all accent should be on fun. If there is enough interest I'd be happy to run some "how to" race clinics.

Series could start in March/April and run through till sep/oct,giving enough races. Usual race point discard rules would apply.

race night could also be a social night at that club...one way to cure the "clubbism" that singapore windsurfing currently suffers from.

ideas and comments please....
 
 [ 28. December 2002, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: sukhdev ]

[P.J.]

Sukhdev

Could use yr website for :

[1] Announcement / Race Notice  
[2] Results

I believe if we could get this series active, External sponsors from PA ,the sailing federation even TUDOR will provide some prize money.

For sure it will raise the formula standard.

[Meng]

It should be friendly races = no protest  

[sukhdev]

Ok guys, its on, I'll commit to sponsoring the key prizes but if we can pull in other sponsors that would be great. Bluefinz will coordinate but I guess volunteers are needed at each club to help pull things together (PJ thanks for volunteering!).

The series should aim to help newcomers to racing and not just let the old "buayas" (hmm..i wonder who) win as usual..so...ladies class, junior class (under 21? under 18?), grand masters (over 50), masters (over 40) and novice class. Special awards for most improved, best sportsperson etc.  

anybody else want to volunteer to help?

[thye]

quote:Originally posted by H2O:
Sukhdev

Thye Hock brought up a very good suggestion to start and discuss how we should start a Formula series in Singapore. Since this is the first local forum all interestd sailors ( from various clubs ) can put in their names and suggestion how it should be run. We can also sign our commitment and contribute our part to make it successful.

Let's start

P.J.Su ( PA )

[thye]

Hi all,

I think we can start with some short upwind race with long reach and slowly extent the upwind leg till everyone gets used to sailing upwind on formula. Or used bedok or siglap buoy and just do upwind downwind

We could also fix the Sunday of the month, than everyone will know & try to make it!

[<Sven>]

Great initiative,

Have lots of fun and GO GO GO....

[sukhdev]

Should we do at least one race while the monsoon lasts? Say sometime just after Chinese New Year..or should we wait till we can run the whole series..comments?

It sort of feels odd there will be no slalom style event this year in Singapore (other than the 2 neighbouring events in Indonesia and Malaysia).

What do you guys think?

[P.J.]

Hi Sukhdev

Let's have a weekend ( sat/sun) slalom during the NE - monsoon.

Should we form a small comm and meet once a while for some planning.

[<got already>]

I thought we already have a racing series in Singapore? From what i know, there are already 'formula class' in our local races. But are we seeing windsurfers taking part? Why start something new in this case? We might end up with too many races with no windsurfers taking part.

[Yttrium]

quote:Originally posted by sukhdev:
What do you guys think?[/QB]

I think it's a great idea. There are many formula sailors out there who probably wouldn't mind some informal fun races. It'll be a good start to get them interested in racing before we progress to course races with longer upwind legs. You have my support!

[Yttrium]

quote:Originally posted by <got already>:
I thought we already have a racing series in Singapore?

I think there's merit for a seperate series. The problem with having a formula class as part of the regular races is that the formulas are started seperately from the rest of the fleet. Sometimes there's wind when the longboards are racing and the formualas have to sit it out and wait for their start, by which time the wind may have died down. IMHO having a dedicated series would help in maximizing the available conditions ...
 
 [ 02. January 2003, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Yttrium ]

[P.J.]

Hi SAM , Are you there ?

Any of the JB boys interested, Can we have some headcount how many will be interested. It will be nice to have you guys as well.

[sukhdev]

I've had some tentative talks with several people.. Here is the suggested format.

- Open class: no rules really on gear, you sail what you bring,whatever that is.

- Series to be run over 3 months, first Sunday of each month. If there is no wind, its rolled over to following sunday.

- location probably around the jetty so everyone can reach it easily from their respective clubs.

- initial races will be figure of 8 format, long reaches. Later on we will add an upwind mark.

- categories:
Open class (buaya class?)
Masters (40+)
Grand masters (50+)
Ladies
Juniors (under18)
Novices (never raced before)
Special Prizes:
 - most improved sailor (over the series)
 - best sportsperson (ie best attitude)

Normal racing rules will apply, eg right of way rules etc.

The series may be preceded with a few "fun" races just to get everyone acclimatized. I'll post course and starting sequence stuff once things are firmer.

Please give your input, remember this series is supposed to be FUN. We want to use this to get everyone together and learn a bit about their own skill level.