G'day all,
To keep it simple, should you not want to read past the next paragraph:
I propose we have only 1 (one) two week nationals a year, with all classes
competing, except for 20m class* (*which would get shared around the States
championships).
I'd like to put forward a new proposal (different from my last), a fresh new
approach for the format of the nationals. I'm just planting the seed now, so
you have time to think about it before I bring it up at both the pilots
meetings of the 2014/2015 season.
Keen to hear your thoughts, especially if at the pilots meetings.
*Proposed start of the proposal: in the 2016/2017 season. Sooner if possible,
but with Benalla WGC coming up, I can't see it happening.
*Days of competition: (can be as is now, just my thoughts/proposal)
Saturday (Practice Day)
Sunday to Sunday (8 days of Competition)
- Why the above? It saves you annual leave every other year. Eg, if a Kingaroy
Nationals, the Queenslanders would only have to take the Sat to the following
Sun off work - then the following year if it were in Waikerie, the
Queenslanders would then have to take 4 extra AL days (for travel), while the
Southerners enjoy having to take less AL that year.
*Classes: To be decided by the people or the Sports committee; my proposal
though, STD/15m combined^; 18m & Open, separate, unless forced to combine
should there not be enough entries in Open; Club is run as club class of course;
Concerns of mixing Club & wet gliders? There are none. Waikerie proved last
season that they can be flown together safely, not in each other's way, & with
excellent tasks.
*Big fields? I don't think so. Why? We generally see the same people turning up
at every nationals, because they currently can. There are others that only do
either the CCN or the MCN at the moment. Example, myself, I currently fly my
Cirrus in CC, then my Ventus in 15m class. If the proposed new format goes
ahead, then I would only fly in one class. Ie, zero extra gliders; or, Parker
only seems to turn up at the MCN, & Geiger only at the CCN. Ie, zero extra
gliders than normal turning up.
I'd expect the regular 50-60 competitors that turn up now in reality. So the
entry size wont a problem.
*Only big clubs run nationals now, so the sites will be able to easily cope.
*At worst, if there's 70 gliders turning up, tugs maybe an issue, but only for
SA in my opinion.
*Team Selection: easier. As people are forced to compete in only one class in
the 60% year - if the current selection criteria stays the same.
^STD/15m combined: 15m pilots able to compete for a spot on the STD class teams
internationally, should they choose. As would STD pilots in 15m class, as they
do now.
Advantages of having only one big 2wk competition a year...
* It's only 9-13 days out of your precious 4wks a year annual leave.
* Only one lot of organisation people get put out every year. Clubs & the
organisation less likely to get burnt out.
* State comps, regattas & coaching events will grow: as people will have an
extra 2wks a year to spend how ever they choose.
*God forbid, pilots could spend their other 2wks+ a year having a regular
holiday with their family or friends!!
*Pilots like myself could then spend my remaining time off each year going to
Europe, to get the much needed practice in order to get an Aussie on the podium
Disadvantages...
*Possibly tugs, but only when the nationals held in SA?
*Others? Can't think of any, can you?
Regards,
Adam Woolley
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