The Pactolus Race was one of the reasons I got Barda, a boat capable of participating in offshore events, so when there were just three SYC and one French starter in 2007 I was disappointed, though we had a great time anyway.
In the run-up to the 2008 event things seemed much better, with around 10 boats signed up to start, however by the time we put our cross-channel provisions on board on Friday morning there were again only three boats starting, which to be frank for a club the size of SYC is a truly pathetic turn-out.
Why doesn't anybody want to do the cross channel races any more? Last year the Dieppe race again attracted just three entries and was dropped from the 2008 calendar leaving just 3 cross-channel jaunts including the Royal Escape in the so-called offshore series. To this is added a jolly along the coast to Littlehampton, a saunter around the Solent and I think the Sovereign Race. I used to race out around the Sovereign Light in my 505 dinghy from Pevensey Bay Sailing Club so we are hardly talking about pushing the envelope.
In my view an offshore series should be a challenge and include at least 3 channel races, and these races should carry double points - how can a race to Littlehampton possibly carry the same weight as a cross-channel event? Alternatively perhaps only cross channel races should be in the offshore series, with all the other shorter races going towards a new 'coastal' series.
The withering offshore fleet is a problem for the whole club and skippers need to let SYC know why they don't want to play anymore. It might be that they are simply not chased hard enough by the club, or is it other events, or perhaps the social side? To this end can all the skippers please post to this thread why they don't come out to play anymore and what the club could do to encourage increased participation. The club needs to hear from you!
Those of us that did go to Fécamp for the Pactolus had a brilliant weekend away - story and pictures on the Barda website. Have a look and see what you missed out on.
//http://www.sailbarda.co.uk/Barda-Pactolus-2008-Log.asp
Steve Vyse
". . . and there's also the RER", said David. he was updating his crewing list after a Pursuit. we had never crossed the Channel before by yacht, let alone raced, so we were delighted, and also a touch surprised, to be invited. it turned into the best weekend of our lives.
Steve, you have put a lot of time & effort into Barda so i hate to see your obvious frustration.
we were equally surprised when only you & Crazy Daisy turned out against us (in Moonlight Saunter) for the Pactolus last year, not forgetting Cœur D'Artichaut, but we hope we gave you a good welcome in Fécamp. you did at least give us adequate time to prepare it.
this year we would have loved to go, but stuff happens, and we couldn't.
you're the only boat in this year's race we haven't sailed on. please don't think us rude if we lack urgency in remedying the deficiency.
as for all those who might do it, but don't . . .
yeah, we don't understand either!
happy sailing
and watch out for a pretty cutter who WILL be sailing more in 2009
robin
Well it happened again this year-just.I know the weather forecast was twitchy and the visit short but surely we can muster more than three boats for such an important race in our competetive history? On the other side SRF hardly ackowledged our arrival although good old Jerome gave us hospitalite.They were involved in 505 worlds so hardly surprising.Anyway the three who went had a great race and a pleasant get together in La Grillade on the Saturday.I will be putting pen to paper at more length in a forthcoming Wavelength.I would not like to see the Pactolas founder as it started way back in 1965 which was before even my Membership.
In Sailing,David.
Quote from: "djskinner"...surely we can muster more than three boats for such an important race in our competetive history?
I would not like to see the Pactolas founder as it started way back in 1965 which was before even my Membership.
In Sailing,David.
Perhaps David has made the crucial point here. Pactolus started as quite an ambitious occasion, when SYC and SRF raced across to Fécamp, with dinners at either end. By comparison, recent races have been diluted affairs.
We can hardly complain if SRF ignored SYC this year - SYC, with one honourable exception, eschewed their hospitality in 2007.
When only three boats from SYC compete in a particular race in consecutive years, it must mean that other skippers are telling the club something. Perhaps it is that their opinion is this part of the club's history is
not part of its future. I applaud Steve's attempt to use this Forum to get some opinions voiced, but confess to doubts.
I shall be delighted to be proved wrong.
:?
Robin,
I appreciate there is a lot of history associated with the Pactolus and I am sure that David's forthcoming Wavelength article will be an education for relative newcomers such as myself, but my interest in the Pactolus is purely as a cross-channel race. I know that Barda didn't support the traditional SRF social in 2007 which I have accepted was a faux pas, but the lure of the excellent restaurants over there was overwhelming. However I digress.
There are in my estimation 11 SYC boats suitable for the Pactolus entered into the 2008 Regatta this coming weekend. My suspicion is that the Pactolus suffered due to the crowded race calendar.
Round the Island 28 June.
BMYC Regatta 5-6 July
Pactolus 11-13 July
Sussex Regatta/SYC Summer Regatta 19-12 July
Those entering the regatta, doing the Pactolus and also earning a crust are put under a lot of pressure. I'm having to take the Friday before the regatta as leave to get all the cross-channel weight out of the boat, scrape pastie crumbs from the cockpit, get the bottom clean and do all the other things needed to be in racing trim by 0800 on Saturday. I'm still keen as mustard but I can understand why others may have elected to pass on the Pactolus to earn brownie points at home.
so, as predicted, no further comments!
post scribendum: in my last, Steve, I regretted that SYC had failed to respect the hospitalité of Société des Régattes de Fécamp in 2007 - not just one boat. Truth to tell, were it not for the skipper's famed 'three-line whip', we should happily have feasted on Les Escargots in L'Escalier , or vice versa as the mood took us.
itching to get back on the water
Robin
Robin, appreciate your comments. I'm in the embarrassing situation of kicking off this topic and now having to bow out of the St.Valery. I have a work commitment that makes it impossible for me not to be around on the Friday. I hope you all have a great time. I won't be.
SteveV
If it's any consolation, I can guarantee that my Thursday will be more graphically uncongenial than yr Friday.
Don't ask!
:shock:
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