Venture '15 - June 14th to 21st

[blimp]

This is a very early 'heads-up' on Venture 15. More details will follow, but the following are the confirmed details:

1. The event is 100% funded
2. There will be no entry fees
3. It will be an offshore powerboat race of over 1,000 nm
4. It'll run in UK and Irish waters
5. Start date on South Coast UK, is Sunday June 14th
6. End date in Ireland is, Sunday June 21st
7. Wales and Scotland are also on the itinerary
8. We've taken on board a lot of the experiences from the run to Monaco last June and, as a result, we've incorporated some fresh elements to make the racing interesting, challenging and rewarding.
9. The final weekend will see a full 'event festival' in Ireland with a full programme of supporting powerboat racing in conjunction with the main Venture fleet. Our partners at this location are guiding spectator numbers well into the hundreds of thousands. These are their numbers from their direct experience, not ours. On land a full festival village is being built with entertainment, retail, food & drink, etc.
10. Visiting fleets (individuals, poker runs, cruises-in-company) will be actively encouraged and incentivised.

Again, further details will follow as and when they're 100% locked-in. (We already have significantly more completed than the points above, but we need to respect the wishes of some of our partners right now)

If any interested team needs any additional information, please email aidan@gopowerboating.com

[hunton69]

It's a little early for April fool

[blimp]

It's far from an April Fool - it's the culmination of a lot of work, by a lot of people. If people would rather organisers simply gave up when things got tough, then things would be even worse than they are at the moment. I'm expecting 'the usual' from BM, but the facts are as outlined above. Many of the initial details have already been out through our mailing lists for over a month now, and we're getting a lot of traction. Posting on here is simply for those that haven't received those emails.

[Red dragon]

Originally Posted by blimp

It's far from an April Fool - it's the culmination of a lot of work, by a lot of people. If people would rather organisers simply gave up when things got tough, then things would be even worse than they are at the moment. I'm expecting 'the usual' from BM, but the facts are as outlined above. Many of the initial details have already been out through our mailing lists for over a month now, and we're getting a lot of traction. Posting on here is simply for those that haven't received those emails.

Hats off to you on this mate!!

Mike

[blimp]

Thanks Mike - but it's not just me. Really good, tight team on this and we're being overseen and informed at all times by the guys that made it to Monaco back in June. Yup, that mightn't have been what everyone wanted it to be, but those guys made it there despite all the obstacles, and deserve the world of credit for doing so.

On a Monaco-note, this was something we put together back before Christmas. It's NOT professional-quality, and it's not something we're sharing publicly. However, we know that many on here followed that run closely so they might enjoy some memories from the trip:
http://vimeo.com/115452311

[Childsy]

Originally Posted by blimp

Thanks Mike - but it's not just me. Really good, tight team on this and we're being overseen and informed at all times by the guys that made it to Monaco back in June. Yup, that mightn't have been what everyone wanted it to be, but those guys made it there despite all the obstacles, and deserve the world of credit for doing so.

On a Monaco-note, this was something we put together back before Christmas. It's NOT professional-quality, and it's not something we're sharing publicly. However, we know that many on here followed that run closely so they might enjoy some memories from the trip:
http://vimeo.com/115452311

I was following the Venture Cup thread with great interest, could not believe the amount of negativity and critisism you guys were getting. As soon as it became a realisation that it could not be a race because of red tape and various other legislation it all turned so sour even though they could have all still taken part in the "Marathon" poker run. If my boat were big enough i would still have taken part, well done to those that did and threw the eggs right back...!!

[Childsy]

Originally Posted by blimp

Thanks Mike - but it's not just me. Really good, tight team on this and we're being overseen and informed at all times by the guys that made it to Monaco back in June. Yup, that mightn't have been what everyone wanted it to be, but those guys made it there despite all the obstacles, and deserve the world of credit for doing so.

On a Monaco-note, this was something we put together back before Christmas. It's NOT professional-quality, and it's not something we're sharing publicly. However, we know that many on here followed that run closely so they might enjoy some memories from the trip:
http://vimeo.com/115452311

Well done... looked fun..!!

[pete60]

Originally Posted by hunton69

It's a little early for April fool

Wow it took 38 minutes for the first negative comment. Why so slow out of the blocks?

[hunton69]

Not much activity on this race. What's the latest?

[ricky udine]

I've heard Ireland 2016

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by pete60

Wow it took 38 minutes for the first negative comment. Why so slow out of the blocks?

And only 30 days for the event to be postponed.

[blimp]

'Postponed' would suggest that something went wrong / fell over / etc. The truth is, in fact, quite the opposite.

We've been working hard with our partners and stakeholders over the past few months. In the past few weeks, they have suggested that a change to the plans would yield an even bigger, better and more challenging race. Attempting to deliver this amended course between now and this June is going to be too tight (we have learned something), so all parties agreed that it would be better to take the opportunity on the table, but to run it in 2016 to ensure that everything was correctly in place.

The main points are as follows:

1. The event will be held entirely within Ireland - North & South. This means it will be routed through the ISA (Irish Sailing Association) as the UIM National Authority.

2. The race is fully-funded. No entry fees will apply.

3. We expect to have full approvals in place 12 months before the race itself.

4. We'll be organising deals, freebies and discounts on everything from transport to fuel, accommodation, etc.

5. The race WILL be fully recorded and televised around the world.

6. We'll be organising a series of briefing events in Ireland, England and beyond

7. The full public launch will take place in July of this year

8. Provisional dates are Sunday 12th June to Sunday 19th June 2016

We fully understand any scepticism that might be out there, but our primary focus is on the teams actually looking to get out there and race. We'll spend the coming months organising the race, briefing them on the race (as we did 2 days ago) and attempting to give them the information and confidence they need to come on board. Any scepticism remaining, after that, can only really be answered by delivery.

If any potential entrant on here hasn't received the group email from last Monday, and might be interested in finding out more, please send me a pm on here.

[hunton69]

Postponed means that something has been delayed to a later date

I never mentioned that anything went wrong.

Out of interest and as the organiser do certain comments on here actually bother you?

and what is more usefull to you?

[blimp]

"Do certain comments on here actually annoy....?"

It's boatmad, so you kind of know what to expect. The silent majority tend to be able to find what they need to form an opinion - good or bad. Those that are way too far out on the 'anti-' side tend to alienate, or just entertain, others. Those that are genuinely misinformed are perfectly fine, but those who are genuinely malicious aren't doing anyone any favours.

.....but do the comments annoy? Very, very rarely, but ya sometimes they do. Probably 'frustrate' more than annoy. It's not easy to organise races, as is evidenced by the lack of them. It would probably have been a lot easier to walk away at certain stages of this journey, but I'm/we're also aware that it's not easy to be a race team. I guess one of the most frustrating bits is that we're all hugely passionate about powerboat racing, or we wouldn't be here in the first place. Hopefully this event will place some small part in giving people something to be proud of again - who knows.

As for 'useful', it's mostly all useful - good and bad. Suggestions, constructive criticism, etc. all ultimately assist. Vented frustration and annoyance is neutral, but also usually reasonable and coming from a genuine position. The final dark 10% of 'other stuff' will always be there, but you'd hardly call it 'useful'.

[Adam]

Actually sounds really good and I think 2016 would be much better.

The plans for Cowes this year also sound very exciting and looks like being a good step forward - so hopefully the 2016 Venture Cup can then build on from that.

[Red-Leader]

We still wont be ready in time

[Scand]

What's new for Cowes this year?

Originally Posted by Adam

Actually sounds really good and I think 2016 would be much better.

The plans for Cowes this year also sound very exciting and looks like being a good step forward - so hopefully the 2016 Venture Cup can then build on from that.

[Martin The Talker]

Originally Posted by Scand

What's new for Cowes this year?

A return to a two-race format, with Cowes/Poole/Cowes running alongside the CTC Race.
A return to CYH, together with entertainment/bar etc there.
Invitation to Class 3/V24/CLASSICS/What Have You to race in CPC race.
Also greater involvement for classic boats, and also a Predicted Log event for cruisers etc to get involved too.

[Carl]

excellent

[Dozzer]

Thank you Martin.

We will be updating the website and facebook page shortly with more information about the weekend, but with a return to the marina north basin, and the public encouraged to see the boats in the water in the "wet-pits" and at the start off the Parade, this year is looking even better.

Regards

Dorian