2013 NWSRA FORMAT SUGGESTION

[racerden]

I know there isn't a Silver Bullet that fixes & pleases all; I fully respect ALL competitors so please no nasty flack. That said, here's my two cents worth I sent to NSWRA yesterday-

At Sunday's drivers meeting in San Diego, Mike Avila posed an unpromptu count of hands asking about next years season formatting. One option was to host a weekend combo of circles and marathons. The other option was to host just marathons. The combo option gathered the most show of hands with comments from our World Team members that marathons were important to training etc. I can relate with the skiers on both formats presented.

What bewildered me was there was no mention of considering any format that mirrored our US Open. Without listing all the pros and cons it is easy to see from a participant, membership & business standpoint, it would be the most beneficial to our sport. Basic reasoning is two fold simple: A.) It is a proven winner for everyone; skiers, drivers and observers, all can and do participate in several classes throughout the entire weekend...most everyone stays around. And B.) It always draws the most skier participation.
The US Open format is special, I understand that. But if it works, why not consider it as our 'base' format then alter/add as necessary.

I participate in and fully do understand the importance of our Marathon/World Team side of racing however one look at the numbers participating in that series tells the true story. For member sustainment and growth NWSRA must consider just two basics: 1.) What the most successful format we have going at this point in time is and
2.) What the majority of our membership partcipates in.

In closing, Mike has asked for suggestions, this is mine. Please pass this on to the National Body.
Wishing you and your team continued success.

Denny Valdez
197

 

[hallett21]

This past year was my first year racing and skied grassroots. Due to a foot injury I couldn't make the races in San Diego. What's the difference between this past Parker and the Sand Diego format?

 

[racerden]

This past year was my first year racing and skied grassroots. Due to a foot injury I couldn't make the races in San Diego. What's the difference between this past Parker and the Sand Diego format?

Basically the skiers race at least twice, most often more. Example: You ski Grass Roots and want to try Stock Boat. You will ski one race in both classes Saturday, then again on Sunday totalling four ski races for the weekend. Another good example in San Diego Todd Haig skied 30-49M, Hands Out Front and the Men's Open totaling 6 races for the entire weekend. Some of my crew did the same.
One thing that makes this a beauty is years ago there were so many participants racing, completing a two day format (then called The Nationals) took 3 full days to accomplish. Unfortunately nowadays NWSRA can easily complete this format, throw in lunch breaks and some wacky fun races all in a weekend.
Hope this answers your question and the foot's healed up.
DV

 

[hallett21]

Basically the skiers race at least twice, most often more. Example: You ski Grass Roots and want to try Stock Boat. You will ski one race in both classes Saturday, then again on Sunday totalling four ski races for the weekend. Another good example in San Diego Todd Haig skied 30-49M, Hands Out Front and the Men's Open totalling 6 races for the entire weekend. Some of my crew did the same.
One thing that makes this a beauty is years ago there were so many participants racing, completing a two day format (then called The Nationals) took 3 full days to accomplish. Unfortunately nowadays NWSRA can easily complete this format, throw in lunch breaks and some wacky fun races all in a weekend.
Hope this answers your question and the foot's healed up.
DV

Foots ready to ski!!! That sounds like a good format, me personally I wanted to be able to ski more races at Parker, then again I was on an adrenaline rush lol. I think that if you gave skiers the option to race more races that they would take advantage of that. You only get to race a few times a year mine as well make them count

 

[Crazyhippy]

I'm late to the party, and bringing a dissenting view.

I prefer Marathons. For me a big part of the allure of racing is the endurance required to ski 40-50 minutes at speed. I can appreciate the badass boats (another part of the allure), and the holy crap speeds, but if I was searching for that, I would be in a drag boat. I am rather bluntly afraid of circles. There is no "saving energy" it is all out all the time, and as such I can see myself getting hurt. If I run out of legs at 40 minutes (which has happened more than once:swear) odds are good my speeds will be considerably less than if I run out of talent on lap 2 of a circle. I am also able to work on my endurance level at slower speeds, where as comfort at speed only comes with speed.

Reality is, I'm hooked, and will be racing either way. But I really prefer Marathons (and I'm not even close to worlds level).

 

[MrWarpath]

What everyone should do is come to the meeting sat and voice your thoughts................make a presence , and make a difference............

I'm late to the party, and bringing a dissenting view.

I prefer Marathons. For me a big part of the allure of racing is the endurance required to ski 40-50 minutes at speed. I can appreciate the badass boats (another part of the allure), and the holy crap speeds, but if I was searching for that, I would be in a drag boat. I am rather bluntly afraid of circles. There is no "saving energy" it is all out all the time, and as such I can see myself getting hurt. If I run out of legs at 40 minutes (which has happened more than once:swear) odds are good my speeds will be considerably less than if I run out of talent on lap 2 of a circle. I am also able to work on my endurance level at slower speeds, where as comfort at speed only comes with speed.

Reality is, I'm hooked, and will be racing either way. But I really prefer Marathons (and I'm not even close to worlds level).

 

[hallett21]

What everyone should do is come to the meeting sat and voice your thoughts................make a presence , and make a difference............

Where and when is the meeting?

 

[138]

Where and when is the meeting

http://www.haciendahotel.com/ 9 am

 

[twinrigskier]

Make the selection races 60min long.

 

[138]

Make the selection races 60min long.

X2

 

[CycloneRacing]

The sport needs to grow and the most participation you get is with circle races. Since its to expensive to have circles on one weekend and hold another race weekend for marathons, It appears the combo will be the best option. I agree when we had a ton of people going for the world team the selection races should have been 60 minutes long. However, that will not help people that might want to get into the sport. I prefer marathons as well but circles are better for the sport to grow with new blood.


This is just my opinion

 

[twinrigskier]

I dont really think skiing an extra 15 min will "kill" the sport nor keep it from growing. But it will sure help out the world team contenders.

 

[skiracer321]

So here is my 2 cents, WHY would you cut the mini to one day when it has, on a consistent basis the most particapents! Just saying! I my self perfer the marathons to the circles! IMO you should run the mini both days and move classes like stock boat to that class. If you want people to get interested in ski racing you need to make things obtainable, these are the people with stock boats, outboard boats so maybe move that to the mini as well or run 2 classes. One in the mini, outboard class and run F2 men's and women's class in the those heats. If you want the average Joe to be interested then make it obtainable! Because the hard truth is that us average boaters / skiers don't have the bucks or do they want to run their equipment 60 mins + fuel, ware and tare, training, the average boaters / skiers don't have the bucks, time to do that! So make classes that are obtainable for the average Joe! Make races that are obtainable for the average Joe! If you want to grow it then quit planning everything around the high dollar top people because IMO that's what's happening! I am just a nobody in this sport but do love it but all this crap is making it hard to continue being a particapant! Guess I am just venting! Apprieciate you all!

 

[CycloneRacing]

I dont really think skiing an extra 15 min will "kill" the sport nor keep it from growing. But it will sure help out the world team contenders.

Brad,
I do agree with you that skiing an extra 15 mibnutes will help the world team. However, how many people is that going to be? You and I both know that if you are selected for the world team you will do your own training for whatever time length you need to. What im getting at is the people who dont want to ski for an hour far out number the ones that do. Like skiracer321 said in his post above, make classes that are obtainable and everyone can ski with little investment with time and money.

Thats just my opinion.