I just read Alan's lament and resignation and know the feeling pretty well.
This fleet cannot run with just one person's efforts, and though Alan tried
mightily to create a consensual calendar he made zero progress from what I
can tell. I've vowed I won't get sucked back in to trying to manage this
fleet another year, but I am willing to try to provide a venue for a fleet
meeting to hash out a schedule. Any proposed scheduling meeting would NOT
occur during or after a regatta, would take place at either Encinal, Richmond
or St. Francis Yacht Clubs at a time publicized well in advance, and would
strive to create a schedule which the majority of those actually desiring to
race could commit to.
I'm sorry Alan's attempts to hold a fleet meeting at the Great Pumpkin failed, but as far as I was concerned it was destined to fail as a wrong attempt at a wrong venue. A race generates its own post race buzz, and that's hardly the place for a considered decision over a race schedule.
I've had private off line e-mail discussions with Alan in the past letting him know that I did not support his proposed schedule, and that while I would not actively oppose it I would withdraw from racing with the fleet if it were adopted since it met none of my criteria for fun. I recognize that my views are idiosyncratic, and that under my stewardship the fleet could only count upon 8 to 10 boats on the starting line, which is a poor measure of success.
Saturday's Great Pumpkin saw a great fleet turnout, all of the "regulars" (except Roger Craine's Dreamtime) plus Redux and the five J30's. Creating a schedule that meets the needs of these guys will almost guaranty success, since the core group of regulars will likely show up no matter what the race schedule is.
And speaking of the Great Pumpkin, what great racing! We did poorly but had a wonderful time racing our competitors out there. The competition just gets tougher each regatta. Congratulations to all of the skippers and crews who made it so successful.
If the Berkeley/Metros attract the same boats we will have a very successful winter season upon which to build momentum for the spring and summer. Keep the faith.
Bob Received on Sun Oct 28 09:10:11 2001