Guest Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Just posted a piece on the start on the home page. So why only 5 entries??? What's happened to this event? Link to post Share on other sites
markm 30 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 There's only room for one serious single-handed RTW race in a four year cycle and this race lost out to the VG over a decade ago. To be the premier race you need the French solo community and they've shown no interest for a long time, means it's only been attracting a very small handful of top players. You can't be the top event without the top players. It tried to reinvent itself as a RTW race with the 'eco' concept using older generation Open 60s. This plan had two flaws. First, it's not particularly glamourous to race boats 2+ generations out of date, even if you brand it with a trendy 'eco' label and even if they used to be cool boats. Even so, it may have worked as the budget side is compelling to those without an infinite supply of money or without name recognition and hence sponsor access in France. Alas the class 40 and a class 40 RTW race came along and took the development / budget niche which they were aiming for. In short, smaller and newer has more appeal than bigger and older, no surprise there if you look at our own race fleet. Add to that the Barcelona RTW 2-handed race which they're directly competing against and the Route du Rhum which is also a very serious business in France and likewise on at the same time and it's actually a surprise anyone turned up at all. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Thank You Mark, as always your replies are well informed and lucid:D Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 That prompted me to have a look at the course for the VOR, weird. Link to post Share on other sites
BelowPAR 0 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Quite a weird look seeing the boats decaled out in sponsor logos but running white sails. Link to post Share on other sites
splashprincess 17 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 They were looking at 8 starters up until about a month ago but 2 didn't qualify and 1 broke it's mast on the way to La Rochelle for the start (and put a hole in the side). With just days to repair it or find another boat, it didn't happen so they have 5 starters. Hopefully they all make it here to Wellington in January. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 As I read it that person bought another boat. He was at the start but has to go off and do a qualifier and restart. But the Aussie in Dees old boat didn't make it so still only 5 They should regenerate this event to a 2 person race. I'd add it to the bucket list then. Link to post Share on other sites
splashprincess 17 Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 In that case put the Global Oceans Race on your bucket list as that is two handed and also comes into Welly. Link to post Share on other sites
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