[J22-Fleet 1] **Notice of Vote - Ballot Attached - April29/2007 - 12pm (noon) Voting Deadline**

[John Dyer]

George and Friends,

This discussion has been great. Obviously a lot of energy out there to make
the J22 fleet even better.

My 2 cents worth is that rather than restrict voting to boat owners,
wouldn't it encourage participation to allow a vote to WYC members who are
also J22 class members? I think the input of non-boat owners such Jon
Noller, Kurt Holtze, Mike Bowers, Billy Allen, Robbie Evans, Kevin Kenney
and others is valuable. Valuable enough to deserve a vote.

The J22 is not a starter boat. Racers frequently, if not typically, migrate
from other fleets to the boat: Lars from Lasers, Billy from E Scows, Mike
from Snipes & Tech Dingys, Thorn from Scows, Dallas from Capri 25's, etc.
That migration frequently leads to a middle or bow position and perhaps a
chance to steer now and again. This builds the fleet with talent and future
boat owners.

So let's take the long view and continue to encourage that migration and let
middle and bow folks, as well as prospective racers, know we value their
input and that they can have a voice in the direction of the fleet. For most
of them it's just the extra $45 for the J22 membership. Win-win.

Best,

John


On 4/19/07 10:57 AM, "Michael Bowers" <msbowers_55431 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Being a relative new comer to the fleet, I view the Combined Fleet 1
> series as the real fleet championship.  That series has lots of races
> and only spans 5 weeks.  It has the best wind and most consistent
> participation.  In terms of competition, that series has become the
> focus for our boat and I think we should do everything we can to keep
> that series going.
> 
> A hint to winning the WYC championship, it is an attendance race.
> However, it takes a lot more than just showing up.  You've got to find
> the best sailors for your team, get them to become Senior or Family
> members of WYC and train with them so they can fill in as driver when
> you're out of town on the family vacation for 3 weekends.  Average
> points for the one or two weekends for an NAs isn't going to be as big
> a factor.
> 
> Some may argue that bringing in "Ringers" is unfair, but I would argue
> that it brings the best sailors into our fleet, encourages crews to
> upgrade their memberships and has proven to heighten the
> competitiveness of our fleet.  I for one love seeing Noeller or Nils at
> the helm, racing against the college hotshots that are home for the odd
> weekend, or seeing a J24 or E boat sailor grabbing the tiller.  Winning
> the WYC championship is even more a 'team' victory than a typical
> regatta. 
> 
> To sum up, I'm still not a fan of average points.  You shouldn't get a
> finish position for a race where you didn't compete.  However, if it
> eases people's concerns for their standings and allows them to travel
> off the lake, then I would cede that point.  As I said, it really won't
> change anything--just as drop races in regattas don't, but for some
> reason people still love them.
> 
> Eh, too much thinking.  See you all at the Ice Breaker.  By the way,
> Laser racing started last night, and it was a blast!
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
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