Key West Race Length
10-01-2008 | 03:01 PM
#11
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,018
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From: Marathon
Just one other thing to consider re: the World's from another area of doing a race.
There are 3 races, 3 days. On each race day the turnaround times between those 3 races depends on a lot of things.
Cranes are not only putting the next classes in, they are taking out boats with immediate problems, the helicopters have to re-fuel, tow boats may be towing boats in and need to get off the course and back into position, and a start for the 3rd race is being determined by the first 2 races. If medical has had an issue, they need to get re-organized and sometimes there are racers racing in more than one class.
The logistics of doing one race is really appreciated when we get to Key West and have 3 in one day.......then do it again 2 days later, etc.
It gets done........but sometimes there is a lot of screaming in my headphones!!!!!!!!!!
If we did 3, 2 hour races, ...........I won't even go there.
You can come up with all the suggestions and solutions for your viewing that you want and I hope your enjoy the show but it isn't going to change. It is what it is.
Sorry, just my .02 with a view from race control.
PD
There are 3 races, 3 days. On each race day the turnaround times between those 3 races depends on a lot of things.
Cranes are not only putting the next classes in, they are taking out boats with immediate problems, the helicopters have to re-fuel, tow boats may be towing boats in and need to get off the course and back into position, and a start for the 3rd race is being determined by the first 2 races. If medical has had an issue, they need to get re-organized and sometimes there are racers racing in more than one class.
The logistics of doing one race is really appreciated when we get to Key West and have 3 in one day.......then do it again 2 days later, etc.
It gets done........but sometimes there is a lot of screaming in my headphones!!!!!!!!!!
If we did 3, 2 hour races, ...........I won't even go there.
You can come up with all the suggestions and solutions for your viewing that you want and I hope your enjoy the show but it isn't going to change. It is what it is.
Sorry, just my .02 with a view from race control.
PD
10-01-2008 | 03:06 PM
#12
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 277
Likes: 36
From: Shark River Hills, NJ
Pat,
Do the logisitics change if, instead of running 3 separate races, you do 3 or 4 starts within 5 minutes of each other and have all of the boats running together on a longer course? Assuming from a safety perspective that they remain fairly spread out, and you don't have 20 boats coming into the harbor at the same time.
Do the logisitics change if, instead of running 3 separate races, you do 3 or 4 starts within 5 minutes of each other and have all of the boats running together on a longer course? Assuming from a safety perspective that they remain fairly spread out, and you don't have 20 boats coming into the harbor at the same time.
10-01-2008 | 03:18 PM
#13
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,018
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From: Marathon
What changes,..... would be the nightmare it would create for SCORING.
2nd nightmare would be that assumption re: everybody heading into the harbor at the same time.
A longer course would help but going back to considering the spectators, they want the short course. The largest spectator area for KW is coming out of the harbor near sunset key. They don't want to be in the rougher water.
The 3rd problem is turn 2. That race and that turn is a whole subject in itself because of the holes at turn 2 and the tide changes. Lots of boats hitting turn 2 is as bad as the harbor at some points in the day
2nd nightmare would be that assumption re: everybody heading into the harbor at the same time.
A longer course would help but going back to considering the spectators, they want the short course. The largest spectator area for KW is coming out of the harbor near sunset key. They don't want to be in the rougher water.
The 3rd problem is turn 2. That race and that turn is a whole subject in itself because of the holes at turn 2 and the tide changes. Lots of boats hitting turn 2 is as bad as the harbor at some points in the day
Last edited by Pat D; 10-01-2008 at 08:48 PM.
10-01-2008 | 08:40 PM
#14
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 166
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So you have to think about the big picture,Nobody is getting rich on this sport.The cost of racing let alone put on a race is H U G E ! The saying goes...How do you make a Million in offshore racing?...Start off with 3 Million...Bob
10-01-2008 | 09:06 PM
#16
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
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From: Toms River, NJ
I still think we had it right in the 80's. 3 or 4 staggered starts. There were constantly boats going by for the fans to see. The problem now, is that the courses are so short, by the time you do a staggered start, you have boats coming around completing the 1st lap. Maybe there should be an offshore race and an inshore race. Inshore to see which boat has the best acceleration, top speed and turning capabilities. Offshore to see who has the toughest gear and best crew.
10-01-2008 | 10:45 PM
#20
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