Dan, I feel there is real value in events that match competitive skill levels regardless of what that particular level might be. Your proposed qualifying system aims to do this.
However, I find a flaw in your most recent argument. If a competitor who has already qualified in an event and “has nothing to lose” can interfere with a competitor trying to qualify, then is it not possible or likely that a competitor that is well out of qualifying position can foul or otherwise take-out a team near qualifying and prevent them from qualifying? In your argument of motivation, wouldn’t the opposite case be true also? I strongly feel the vast majority of competitors in all sports compete for the enjoyment of competition. I recently sent a self-evaluation to all my team members. One of the questions I asked seemed silly, “Why are you on the team?” No one answered, ‘to be champion, or All-American, or to win’. Everyone answered, ‘because I love sailing, and to have fun.’ I think we all want to see College Sailing grow and the level of ability of all teams increase. That makes it more fun for everyone. College Sailing is a community that we all enjoy being a part of. And like any community, everyone has to work towards its betterment, like picking up trash that is not yours, or helping your neighbor. (I wanted to throw in a cliche' for you :) ) -Mitch Mitch Brindley Head Sailing Coach Old Dominion University (757)683-3387 work (757)287-1201 cell ________________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 9:05 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [MAISA] A Final Comment I offer this final comment. No team should be competing in a qualifier that is not competing with the same motivation and goals as all the other teams in that event. PERIOD. Teams that compete in qualifiers and who have nothing to lose are nothing more than impediments that either influence or affect the outcome. In the midst of the regatta, they can do anything they wish without penalty. Unlike the sand traps in golf which every player must deal with equally, these teams may cover one team and not another. They may shut out one team at the start and not another. They may even foul one team and not another with no real penalty to themselves. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, these teams impact and influence a competition in which they should have no interest. Of course, "My kids wouldn't do anything like that." But my team has been match raced, I've had to restrain my kids, and it does happen. Just as the appearance of impropriety in politics must be avoided, so must any suggestion of an improperly influenced competition be avoided in our sport. Behind the tired old cliches and platitudes used to defend allowing teams that have qualified to enter these events, the real motivation is the need by the big teams to find events in which to place their excess players. If they need more events, they should host more events. But the teams for whom simply qualifying means success or failure for the season deserve a clean and totally fair arena in which to compete. Would the big teams be happy with anything less? Are they the only teams in MAISA who deserve such? Tonight we will find out what the leaders of MAISA think. Dan Winters **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) _________________________________________________ maisa mailing list [email protected] http://www.collegesailing.org/mailman/?listname=maisa _________________________________________________ maisa mailing list [email protected] http://www.collegesailing.org/mailman/?listname=maisa
