Venture Cup - Page 40

Ciao · 11-03-2014, 04:51 PM

Roughly translated - Does that mean you are in Puerto Banús on a final venue reccie?

You are clearly working on small issues such as stern to mooring for Marathon boats, space for lorries and support vehicles in Banus, the cost of car parking outside of the Port, and of course the right price for a cup of coffee in Sinatra's.

Marinautic · 12-03-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ciao

and of course the right price for a cup of coffee in Sinatra's.

I always preferred a coffee (and cognac) in the Salduba next door, comfier chairs and a better all round view!

blimp · 13-03-2014, 12:09 AM

Below is a link to an extremely rough screen-capture of 'Warpath's' Daryl Grady explaining the incredible finish to the third day of racing in the 2013 Venture Cup Prologue (Guernsey - Jersey - Guernsey)
(Original footage by David Graham Smith)
(apologies again on the quality - a correct version of "David's Diary" will be uploaded in a few days)
http://vimeo.com/88934904

Mike Lloyd · 13-03-2014, 11:01 AM

If the course in the recent VC’s Notice is still current then at the cost of being labelled a “scaremonger” again – their thoughts of the fleet cutting across the Bay of Biscay direct from Les Sables d’Olnne in France to Coruna in Northern Spain is – to put it mildly – ambitious - IMHO!

To send inexperienced teams (and they will still be inexperienced at that stage) out into the notorious Bay of Biscay for 330 nm’s or so into a strong Westerly/North Westerly wind (that is the prevailing direction in June/July) and sea and at midway point to be over 100nm’s from land is pushing your luck a bit too far. Obviously on a calm day it would be a breeze but …………

Mike Bellamy said that in HTS in 1972 the leg from Bilbao to Coruna was one of the worst they experienced as they had to push into BIG Atlantic head seas (Westerly again) for over 8 hours before making port and that was only about 160 miles!

Of course this is all irrelevant if the VC team has worked out another way of going around the Bay. Many of us watching this will be fascinated by the eventual disclosure of the course and leg lengths least of all the teams.
ML.
.

Mrs Smillie · 13-03-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lloyd

If the course in the recent VC’s Notice is still current then at the cost of being labelled a “scaremonger” again – their thoughts of the fleet cutting across the Bay of Biscay direct from Les Sables d’Olnne in France to Coruna in Northern Spain is – to put it mildly – ambitious - IMHO!

To send inexperienced teams (and they will still be inexperienced at that stage) out into the notorious Bay of Biscay for 330 nm’s or so into a strong Westerly/North Westerly wind (that is the prevailing direction in June/July) and sea and at midway point to be over 100nm’s from land is pushing your luck a bit too far. Obviously on a calm day it would be a breeze but …………

Mike Bellamy said that in HTS in 1972 the leg from Bilbao to Coruna was one of the worst they experienced as they had to push into BIG Atlantic head seas (Westerly again) for over 8 hours before making port and that was only about 160 miles!

Of course this is all irrelevant if the VC team has worked out another way of going around the Bay. Many of us watching this will be fascinated by the eventual disclosure of the course and leg lengths least of all the teams.
ML.
.

Here here to this Mike I have asked on MANY occasions as has Eric but to no avail as a wife of an entrant it would be nice to know where my hubby will be racing and sooner rather than later so I can book accommodation etc so if the VC team are ready to unveil their plans it would be very much appreciated! Claire

blimp · 13-03-2014, 12:23 PM

Folks, this is unhelpful. Does anyone really think that RYA course approvals would allow a direct transit across Biscay? ...or that we, as organisers, would put teams at risk?

Teams will NOT be allowed to cross Biscay directly - virtual marks will have to be rounded to ensure this.

Mike Lloyd · 13-03-2014, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blimp

Folks, this is unhelpful. Does anyone really think that RYA course approvals would allow a direct transit across Biscay? ...or that we, as organisers, would put teams at risk?

Teams will NOT be allowed to cross Biscay directly - virtual marks will have to be rounded to ensure this.

Glad to hear it, very sensible too. Thanks for the clarification. Wasn't intending to be unhelpful, quite the opposite, but it will be interesting to see what is eventually decided and where those "Virtual Marks" will be put. Sorry to have brought it to your attention.

ML.
.

blimp · 13-03-2014, 12:41 PM

It's no problem Mike, and it's understandable that people will have questions. You'll know better than anyone about the whole 'approvals' process, and that everyone these days is 'risk averse'!!

Mrs Smillie · 13-03-2014, 01:10 PM

Sooooooooooooooooo any news on venues etc etc Please! Claire

blimp · 13-03-2014, 01:33 PM

The venues and dates were published in the Advance Notice long before Christmas. Rather than using a specialised travel organiser this year, we're getting each venue to negotiate hotel deals on our/your behalf.

Mrs Smillie · 13-03-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blimp

The venues and dates were published in the Advance Notice long before Christmas. Rather than using a specialised travel organiser this year, we're getting each venue to negotiate hotel deals on our/your behalf.

If race does not happen and hotels are booked will we get a refund? Claire

blimp · 13-03-2014, 06:26 PM

Claire - before I, reluctantly, answer ...can I just offer something in passing? You clearly have enormous passion for powerboating and, by natural extension, your husband's involvement with it - both professionally and socially. Most frequently this passion has translated into negativity when it comes to this specific race. Why not get behind the sport that you so clearly love? Are things perfect? No, and they never will be .... but when people attempt to make changes for the better, any success will benefit you and Eric as much as anyone else.

Anyway, to your question ...the simple answer is a very brief no. The longer is that the race is going ahead, but anything could happen along the which can affect everyone's plans. This is true for all sporting events. A couple of years ago Ireland were due to play France in a 6 nations game but it was called off just minutes before the start. Did everyone who traveled over and paid for hotels get their money back? No. If the CTC is called off this year due to crazy weather and you've booked and paid for 10 people at a restaurant in Poole, will the BPRC refund you? No. Our approach is the norm, not the exception.

hunton69 · 14-03-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Smillie

If race does not happen and hotels are booked will we get a refund? Claire

When you book hotels you can normally cancel between 1 and 7 days before arrival without charge check out the T&C

hunton69 · 14-03-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blimp

Claire - before I, reluctantly, answer ...can I just offer something in passing? You clearly have enormous passion for powerboating and, by natural extension, your husband's involvement with it - both professionally and socially. Most frequently this passion has translated into negativity when it comes to this specific race. Why not get behind the sport that you so clearly love? Are things perfect? No, and they never will be .... but when people attempt to make changes for the better, any success will benefit you and Eric as much as anyone else.

Anyway, to your question ...the simple answer is a very brief no. The longer is that the race is going ahead, but anything could happen along the which can affect everyone's plans. This is true for all sporting events. A couple of years ago Ireland were due to play France in a 6 nations game but it was called off just minutes before the start. Did everyone who traveled over and paid for hotels get their money back? No. If the CTC is called off this year due to crazy weather and you've booked and paid for 10 people at a restaurant in Poole, will the BPRC refund you? No. Our approach is the norm, not the exception.

And the England France game over in Paris a couple of years ago.

Ciao · 15-03-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blimp

A couple of years ago Ireland were due to play France in a 6 nations game but it was called off just minutes before the start.

I remember that evening, it was freezing! I attended a 50th birthday party with Eric Smilie and Robin Hyde in Surrey.

Fairly sure you saw bright side though Aidan, the Irish went home without losing.

Tremlett 15 · 15-03-2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ciao

I remember that evening, it was freezing! I attended a 50th birthday party with Eric Smilie and Robin Hyde in Surrey.

Fairly sure you saw bright side though Aidan, the Irish went home without losing.

Well we won today......

blimp · 15-03-2014, 11:46 PM

Indeed we did Austin .....and it's probably going to take until Thursday for my blood pressure to come back down

Mrs Smillie · 15-03-2014, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ciao

I remember that evening, it was freezing! I attended a 50th birthday party with Eric Smilie and Robin Hyde in Surrey.

Fairly sure you saw bright side though Aidan, the Irish went home without losing.

Be careful John Eric is half Irish! Claire

Hydrostream · 16-03-2014, 01:52 AM

blimp · 17-03-2014, 12:20 PM

BREAKING NEWS
We have some very significant, and positive, news to tell you about our activity in London. While our race-start remains on the Greenwich Meridian, we're moving all of our pre-race activity into St Katharine Docks. This is right in the heart of London and will make for an amazing spectacle for the public, teams and all our partners. Full details will be published in a group email which will be sent out within the hour.
http://www.skdocks.co.uk/