Save the dates!
The 2018 Viper 640 North American Championship will be in Kingston, Ontario from July 5-8.
Measurements & registration on July 4
Warm-up events will be organized July 2-3.
This event is co-hosted by Kingston Yacht Club and CORK.
CORK will be the race organizers, launch and docking site. KYC will host our social gatherings.
More about KYC at http://www.kingstonyachtclub.com/
CORK is Canada's Olympic sailing site (1976), home to SAIL Canada and organizer of Canada's Olympic Class Regattas.
See more at http://www.cork.org/sailing-venue/
NOR and registration will follow soon.
Yacht Scoring site is now working at https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4581.
Some pictures and videos of Vipers in Kingston to give you a little taste of things to come!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2o7QqESo9U&t=5s
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.793629317356549&type=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFsSbFcot6c
10 boats registered... keep em coming!
11!
Up to 19 entries. Who's going too be #20?
Made it to 20 boats (and more than half are Canadian).
Great momentum, let keep it up.
Hey guys,
Its nice that people are registering but how do we keep just the actual people that plan to attend on the list. In the last couple years we have looked like fools with people not showing up and us promoting 70 plus boats for months!
Maybe a small payment??
I understand that things happen and people can't always make it but this has looked bad on the class..
Thoughts??
Brad
Good point Brad - we'll look at when we clean out the list of unpaid (do it on a regular basis?) and look at our refund policy to encourage people to commit, but be fair and reasonable for those that have to back out at the last minute.
I'll ask the organising committee to look at this.
Steve
It's a question of the OA following up with competitors regularly (and sometimes individually), even the paid folks, to figure out if their plans have changed. The Larchmont NAs had the NOR go up late - the high water mark for entries was 53 and that is the number of boats we had since we were removing boats regularly from the scratch sheet.
Great point Brad. As Steve said, we will monitor it on an ongoing basis and follow up with competitors so we don't reach the week of the regatta and numbers drop off a cliff.
Just looking down the list, the owners I see are known to travel to regattas. Meaning I would think the 20 that are already registered will likely be there.
I hope to see Jackpot on there soon!
Cheers!
Also, we are by no means the only class to face this situation from time to time. The 2016 Melges 24 Worlds lost 40% of the fleet that had originally signed up - possibly older boats who were trying to win the "Pimp My Ride" promotion and who bailed after they lost. There are different philosophies for different event chairs on how to juice attendance. At some point in the 2017 NAs marketing process last year, we changed our tune from 70+ Vipers will be there (something that was unlikely to happen, even as we were above 70+ entries, based on the fact that registration opened so early and some people's plans changed), to "the largest Viper regatta in Class history" (which was in fact a true statement).
If Kingston wants an awesome turnout, here would be how I would go about it:
1. Make sure every GL Region boat is signed up early (off to a solid start, but where are the Sarnia / Detroit metro area folks?)
2. Be in touch with regional fleet captains with a good sales pitch and info about the event.
3. Get the NOR posted so that the regatta can be listed on the Events page at yachtscoring.com (UPDATE: this appears to have happened in the past hour, nice work)
4. Talk to folks from further afield to figure out what they need to know to be able to travel. It'd be great to see a shipment of west coast boats but it'll involve a quick turn from LBRW - I know Jimbo and Timbo are interested though, and probably Fargo too. Same with the GYA folks - I don't think there is a conflicting Capdevielle event - someone needs to let them know that Canada is The South of The North (Molson Ice and street hockey for all! Snowmobiles = Winter RVs, etc.) to make them feel welcome. Maybe Butch Agnew can lead a Bermudian contingent to make his triumphant return to The Motherland.
5. Consider some form of promotion for early registrants, although in my experience, these don't always work and take sponsor support.
On the whole though, I always consider this to be on each and every Class member who is attending. If you know you'll be there, then just sign up. The more people who sign up early, the more the fencesitters will be interested in attending. Failing to sign up early hurts turnout in The Internet Age - it's not like the 1980s where everyone saw the regatta announcement in the paper class newsletter and showed up to assume there would be 60 boats because there are always at least 60 boats. Make the early online entries happen and it'll keep building upon itself.
Did any of that make the Class look foolish in 2016 or 2017? I don't know about that. There's only one other spritboat class for boats under 25 feet in the U.S. that gets the same or more entries as we do to our big class championship of the year, so if anyone else is talking trash, they're just jealous.
We are coming up to another mile marker (or should I say kilometre marker?) 30 boats. Who's going to be #30?
Hopefully someone from the GL who we don't get to see as often at other events like Steve Conger, or maybe one of the new owners like the folks on 29, 40, 52, 85 or 94. Or 190 now that they are becoming more active on the circuit and are rolling off good races too. I'd root for Mr. Kiteley, but only if he shows this time!
#30
Mambo Kings are in!
I used to know someone called Paul Zimmerman.....any relation?
Sorry, no relation
Relations or not, this is still a VIPER Family Affair.....
We are now 35 and not even half way there....
Let's all get registered - this is one of North America's best sailing venues!
Steve
288
Registration is off to a very solid start. Maybe there will be a couple more boats from the GL Region. I would expect another 3-5 entries from WLIS at minimum, and hopefully at least 3-5 more from the Chesapeake. There's only one GYA entry so far, and that is very likely to improve, hopefully by a lot. There's hopefully 1-2 more Marblehead entries in the hopper. Plus I know of a couple of people looking for charter boats already. So I think it's safe to assume that at some point in the process, hopefully in the next couple of months, we'll be at 50+ entries for Kingston in case anyone reading this from far away is debating whether to make travel plans.
on a completely seperate but relevant topic.....will there be a can am hockey game? ice or street?
the 505 class has done this in years past and it was a hoot.
Quote from: Geoff Ewenson on February 06, 2018, 11:25:41 AM
on a completely seperate but relevant topic.....will there be a can am hockey game? ice or street?
the 505 class has done this in years past and it was a hoot.
The working plan is a street hockey tournament (sneakers/feet, sticks, ball, unclear if there will be goalies or not) - single elimination, teams organized by region (whether that means Annapolis, or Chesapeake A, Chesapeake B, etc., but hopefully there will be enough Annapolis sailors to field an Annapolis team), 6 on 6, short games (5 minutes?) to minimize odds of there being a cardiac event, champion team to get some prize to be determined (likely a case or two of Molson or Labatts), folks not playing or spectating will be eating / drinking around the field / concrete. Post tourney, there will be a USA vs. Canada All-Star Game, with players drafted 2018 NBA Draft Style by assigned captains (Brad Boston for Canada, Zeke Horowitz for USA) to play a 10-minute game, if Americans win, a bottle of the finest Canadian Club, and if Canadians win, a bottle of the finest Jack Daniels. Unclear if those drafted will receive custom jerseys for the occasion to motivate people to play hard in the tourney and be drafted, but maybe we can make up some t-shirts that will become highly coveted collectors items.
We are quickly but quietly approaching 40 registered boats for the 2018 NA's in Kingston. There are a few GL boats that have confirmed they are going but not yet registered, so I suspect we'll be above 40 soon.
Who else is going to make the trip to one of the best fresh water sailing venue's in the world I'm looking at you Gulf Coast...I think there is only one boat registered from your region!. We sent 5 boats to FWYC last year (nudge nudge).
Here's a couple of videos I found that will show you what sailing in Kingston looks like: (Sorry not Vipers)
https://youtu.be/oRuNPBY4X5I?t=6m42s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCrTCZB16PE
Kingston locals James and Heidi Colburn have even gone so far as to buy a 2nd Viper for this event! That's dedication! Running a 2 boat campaign. Who do they think they are? Larry Ellison?
Hope to see some more of you registered soon.
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4581
So it's mid-March, we have 37 boats registered!
Many people telling me that they are coming, but not registered yet...
This is going to be an awesome regatta - the committee planning some fun social events - Kingston is a great place to be in July.
Sign up - the more we sign up the more kegs we get committed!
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4581
Quote from: Peter Beardsley on February 06, 2018, 01:44:57 PM
If Americans win, a bottle of the finest Canadian Club, and if Canadians win, a bottle of the finest Jack Daniels.
Ugh! Heads you lose. Tails you lose.
Can we form a Brit-Am team and if we win, the rest of you have to buy us a decent bottle of single malt whisky (please note that there is no e in whisky)....Although the 2016 Brora 38 years is probably too hard to locate ....but a bottle of Glenmorangie is perfectly drinkable.
Caution: My boat may have a hockey ringer on board.
Head's up!!
The Early bird deadline is quickly approaching for the Viper 640 North American Championships. Register before May 1st to save $$$!
The action begins on July 4th and continues until July 8th.
Viper 640 NA's Notice of Race
https://yachtscoring.com/event_doc.../.../2018%20Viper%20NOR.pdf
Viper 640 NA's event website and registration
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4581
Competitor information including details about travel to the venue, accommodation, and other amenities in the city of Kingston are available at:
www.cork.org
For those looking for an inexpensive place to stay, we booked rooms at the Thriftlodge (https://www.thriftlodgekingston.com/) for pretty cheap. I checked it out on tripadvisor it looks like a good place.
Update: We are quietly up to 40 registered boats!
Just an FYI - I've found some inexpensive accommodations at the Thrift Lodge. Tripadvisor.com (https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g154992-d281339-Reviews-Thriftlodge_Kingston-Kingston_Ontario.html) had some good reviews.
Today is the last day to register at the discounted rate of $600!!
Now up to 44 entries. Here is what I am seeing for street hockey:
Southern Bracket
Larchmont A
Larchmont B
Marblehead
Fairfield County, CT
Annapolis
GYA Pride
Northern Bracket
Nepean A
Nepean B (may need one more or an honorary Nepean...bet you could annex Alain)
Sarnia
Kingston
West Central Ontario
Northern Lakes
There are another 3-4 boats that defy easy geographic classification that could end up being a motley crew team or who can jump onto other teams to fill in for reluctant players.
Assuming we crank this out and play 5-minute games (no goalies), each region would play a total of 5 games (3 first round games, team with highest goal delta gets a bye into the regional finals, other two winners play each other in the regional semis), and then the Intergalactic Championship of North vs. South. If you don't get a bye, you may have to play 4 games, otherwise you play 3. Or you only play 1 or 2 and then get to heckle like crazy. If we want, we can also do an All Star Game between regions afterward where we delegate to the North and South sailmakers (Brad and Zeke) to draft teams NBA All Star Game style based on players from their regions.
Is there room in the budget for this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaC98STBr6I
In at #45
We are coming up to the last opportunity to register for the 2018 NA's at a discounted price.
The registration fee will go up on June 1st!
So get online and register https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4581
This will be a great week to be in Kingston - great sailing for sure - but also lots of events on in the city, Busker Festival, Sunset cannon fire at Old Fort Henry, fireworks and live music on Canada Day (July 1), not to mention some of the best bars in Ontario...
Hopefully see you in Kingston!!
New sailor information package is available telling who, how, when, why, and what.
Is there any update on the previously advertised warm up event on July 2-3? e.g., should we plan to come up early?
Peelin' tires and lighting fires... Rednecks on their way
Most people just bring spare sails and a few extra blocks. Some of us bring an extra boom and mast but the Wilusz's dont mess around...they bring a back up boat!
Viper Garage Band Update: It's going to be epic!
Guitar - Jackson Benvenutti
Banjo - Buttons Padin
Ukulele - Peter Fernberger, David Norott
Fiddle - David Owen, James Owen
Percussion - Rachel Beardsley, Cardwell Potts, Loic Moisand
Vocals - Kendra Emhiser, Jennifer Potts, Peter Beardsley
Sax - Nic Buc
Set list attached. There's room for anyone playing or singing anything. Want to suggest a song? Bring a dozen copies of the lyrics and chords and we'll add it to the list.
See you tomorrow/Wednesday,
Buttons
Link to inspection check list
Im wondering if Peter Beardsley on vocals should be put to a Class Vote under rule 2.
:(
Quote from: Justin Scott on July 03, 2018, 11:21:51 AM
Im wondering if Peter Beardsley on vocals should be put to a Class Vote under rule 2.
:(
I am not on vocals. Some wishful thinking on the Class Admin's part.
For those that haven't seen it yet, here's a link to the edited drone footage from NA's.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ohqxj6QVIFKh4NBejm5APm7xIeTyBf7V/view?usp=sharing
I don't know about anyone else, but this stuff gets me jazzed to do more viper sailing. Thanks to Heidi and James Colburn for sourcing the "drone guy".