There are some very good quality videos there, makes the sport look that bit more professional. Good for the public.

From a spectators point of view, the short ovalish track is good as its easier to see, faster and there is more chance of a spill at the two turns (always a crowd favourite ). Unfortunately I think the majority of viewers would be interested mainly in the exciting parts of a race (start, finish, speed, high speed turns, crashes). The commentry adds well to the atmosphere too.

If I were designing the course I'd have an area of undulations (for land sailing, not ice) to deal with . Water hazard anyone?????

A couple of years ago I was out at lake lefroy and there was only a small section of the lake with no water, about as big as a (speedway oval)so we started racing around in simalar action to raceing on a speedway track I was great fun with plenty of broadsides. People watching realy eenjoyed it.(this was in class5) another thing I found great to watch was when paul and crazey trave had a tag race using a small section of the lake and dozens af direction changes with the following yacht taging the one in front and passing each other at every advantage. These are great things to try when there are only a couple of yachts and the spectators realy enjoy it
Cheers
aus230

just need to get the venues close to the people, guarantee wind,and give out great prize money, competitors do get rather bored constantly sailing a tiny circuit.
so if I put up 2mill whos got a location
. certainly do-able if you have enough people with an interest to make it happen.
I reckon the blokart set up is very close, BUT you do need to get the top line coverage.
last year in yepoon the thing that I noticed most was thet there were no spectators. to the locals we were just a group that had blocked the beach.
meanwhile there was a great beach at yeppoon that had 2 people walking dogs. great idea , wrong location
port gawler- back blocks, bad location,
lefroy -600kms from the city
Walyungup-sailing venue hidden from road, hard to find entrance
belmont park - brilliant location( no longer available)
Aldinga beach -SA brilliant location but bogans, locals and hooded plovers
need I continue.......................................................

Those masts bending the wrong way... I just can't fathom why they do things like that!

nebbian said...

Those masts bending the wrong way... I just can't fathom why they do things like that!

I have been told that it is survival of the flexi-est. I can imagine slamming down on the ice after lifting a skate.

nebbian said...

Perhaps I meant... it just looks wrong

They certainly seem to be getting some good speeds out of them

Yep, it does look wrong, but it works!!
The DN is one of the longest living sailing classes (water, ice, land ) with it's original format. I spent quite a bit of time with the dutch DN sailors and they just love their boats, as do the US guys. Their boats last for years, and they don't get outmoded by new designs, so I guess they have something right. (Not that I am a "one design person")
I am not sure if Paul is right about his comment on the longest lasting flexi. They certainly are not allowed to take big numbers of bits to regattas, and if mast breakage were an issue I am sure they would, everyone wants to sail all the available races don't they?
We think that Landsailing has problems with venues etc. These guys (DN sailors) were to have their European champs to which I was invited, the venue was to be by phone, somewhere in Estonia. On the Friday evening the available lakes were to be assessed and a choice made. Projected driving distance was anywhere within 500km! ie find out by 6pm and drive through the night, first race at 10am. From where I was being collected was 1500km to the "assembly point" and then the venue choice! Worst thing was, there were no suitable venues at all, snow on the ice, lake not cold enough, compression ridges, etc etc, let alone the vagaries of wind. These guys are KEEN, and there were around 80 waiting to compete, and they told me it can be like this for years.

kiwi307 said...

Gizmo said...

Did anyone else notice in the videos of the ice yachts... running / push starts, no seat belts and feet touching the ground on some tight turns?

Hmm strange that huh? Just like most landyacht countries in the world (except for the feet over the side)!

I would have thought that if landsailing in Australia was trying to follow the rest of the world with classes we should also follow in starting, sailing and safety rules?
Australian sailors competing overseas would be at a huge disadvantage if they weren't used to run / push starts etc.

Gizmo said...

kiwi307 said...

Gizmo said...

Did anyone else notice in the videos of the ice yachts... running / push starts, no seat belts and feet touching the ground on some tight turns?

Hmm strange that huh? Just like most landyacht countries in the world (except for the feet over the side)!

I would have thought that if landsailing in Australia was trying to follow the rest of the world with classes we should also follow in starting, sailing and safety rules?
Australian sailors competing overseas would be at a huge disadvantage if they weren't used to run / push starts etc.

I think we have been down this road before!

Would it hurt to practise running starts for when competing internationally, and then use standing starts here when the rule applies here at home? At least then there is the option to do both.

I know a few people who aren't a fan of running and leaping into their yacht. Just something you have to practise yourself if you wanted to as turning people away from this sport isn't a great option.

Gizmo said...
Would you say to an Bobsled team do a few practice push starts if you wish to compete internationally or at the Olympics? I dont think so!!

If Bobsled races were held in Aus, in a current format where disabled individuals could compete (as landsailing does), I dont see a problem asking for people to practise running starts out of race time. I mean how many starts does a race have? In my mind I think its more important for landsailing in Aus to be accessible to anyone/everyone rather than cater to the few international racers (who have the ability to practise). Just my thoughts...

No reason why both formats can't be used at the same get togethers. I would rather do running starts myself.