Cowes - Page 2

Rupert Munro · 31-08-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HIM
OK for a first time......?????

It was great for a first time (also first time in isle of wight but why would i go except for the powerboats??????). Thanks for the time in the pits and hope to see Noisy & co next year.

HIM · 31-08-2005, 08:24 PM

I forgot to thank all the various marshalling crew....Tony,grant,Ben,Grants son,the crane marshall and of course the commentators!
The way the wet pits had so much space was great made an easy job of looking at the big racers...
Roll on 2006 if this is the start of something big.

Tony Davis · 31-08-2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HIM

The way the wet pits had so much space was great made an easy job of looking at the big racers...

That's all very well as a competitor, but what about the spectators who once again don't get to see the boats close up.

Rupert Munro · 31-08-2005, 11:09 PM

they might not get to be up close and personal but they could walk all the way around the wet pit and watch from high up - i think thats better than being miles away. would be good if they could see the boats close up but you have to draw the line between racers and general public - imagine how packed the pits would be if everyone could walk everywhere

Tony Davis · 31-08-2005, 11:16 PM

Maybe they could have opened the pits up to the general public for a few hours each day, much like they do at a Grand Prix!

Spoke to a few ex racers today who were most put out that they couldn't enter the pits, it seems that having supported the racing for years means nothing anymore!

Rupert Munro · 31-08-2005, 11:28 PM

yeah it would be good if that were possible as it would increase the interest but you cant really blame the organisers - they had a real tough time just dealing with the racers etc and imagine the insurance etc they would have to include - and thats not even mentioning what health and safety would say about the public that close to cranes, boats, water etc

HIM · 31-08-2005, 11:31 PM

I agree with Tony that it was great for competitors but spectators have been excluded from Cowes for a couple of years now. Would be great as Tony says to open wet pits for times to allow psectators to view boats ....much as they used to in "the old days". Perhaps it has something to do with Health and safety!!!
Lets suggest it for 2006!!!

Johnny Rocket · 31-08-2005, 11:37 PM

Apart from the craning area, I don't see any overwhelming "health and safety" reason why the public should be excluded.

There could potentially be an over crowding problem on the pontoons, but they seem to manage OK at the Southampton Boats Show. Perhaps Pit Passes could be sold for a few quid to add to the race coffers and limit the numbers?

Competitors carrying out final race preparations would probably not welcome any interruptions, but the pits could be cleared a couple of hours before the race and opened again afterwards.

Rupert Munro · 31-08-2005, 11:39 PM

im sure that they could do with extra money and limiting the time allowed either side of racing sounds a good idea, maybe they could get some initial setup for the near future

BluFin · 01-09-2005, 08:52 AM

As an old boatmad bugger. Half of the fun for me is ambling around the pits. When you are locked out it just isn't worth the visit. Think back to poole & the worlds in 85 when it all took place at the pierhead at Bournemouth and the public could mingle.

QED