Report to the President, Executive,
and Members of the Canadian Shark Class Association
from Eric Calvert,
Vice President – Racing 2000 Goals and Achievements:
1. The priority has been to work towards standardizing CSCA Counter regattas.
This is to ensure consistent quality in racing and off-water services, and to
make sure winning one regatta was equivalent to winning another. In this, the
role of the VP Racing provides services to Counter regatta organizers that help
them run a high-quality event. Standardized forms have been created and published
for download off the Web. These are an Entry Form, Notice of Race, and Sailing
Instructions. Forms are posted as MS Word documents. About 85% of each form is
written, with those areas where specifics are to be added indicated in red text.
The challenge was to create documents that are within the rules, ensure good racing,
and maintain the “personality” of Shark racing. Modifications to the forms are
permitted with approval by the VP Racing. This is to allow for unique situations
at each venue while ensuring changes aren’t made that would effect consistency and
equivalency. Reports are that these forms have been very successful in helping event
organizers run regattas. The standardized forms were used on a trial basis for 2000.
It’s recommended these forms become mandatory beginning this year (2001).
2. Prepare the CSCA Regatta Calendar and make sure it’s finalized and published by
the end of February. Timely publishing of the calendar helps improve regatta attendance.
It allows competitors to better plan their racing schedule, and regatta organizers
to promote their event. It also contributes to better decision making in which events
to include and where regattas are held. The 2001 Calendar will be presented at the AGM.
3. Begin work on creating a Database of Shark racers – skippers and crew – in Canada.
This will allow the Class to promote regattas and other events, and convey important
information, directly to racers via e-mail. Records of counter regatta participants
have been kept for the 2000 season. Continuation of this project will require the
assistance of the Regional VP’s.
4. Promote shark racing in canada. A Web site specific to Shark racing in Canada
has been created and maintained. The Racing Page contains the Regatta Calendar,
results, racing news, standardized forms for regatta organizers, and other documents
of interest to Shark racers. A Revue of the 2000 Season With limited previous records,
it’s difficult to compare the 2000 season with past years, but it seemed to be a
successful season for Shark Racing in Canada. Canada hosted the Worlds. This was very
well attended including a number of European teams. Perhaps a lesson to take away is
to try in future to hold this event at Yacht Clubs with a track record of success in
all aspects of regatta management. South Port SC hosted the Canadians. The regatta
was well attended with very good racing conditions on Lake St. Clair and excellent
race management. There were 8 CSCA Counter regattas (for Shark of the Year - SOY),
held in 6 different regions. There were 206 starters. 84 Canadian boats participated
in at least 1 Counter regatta. 18 (20%) boats qualified for SOY by competing in 4 or
more regattas. 0 boats competed in all 8 regattas. 5 in 7 regattas. 4 in 6 regattas.
7 in 5 regattas. 2 in 4 regattas. 4 in 3 regattas. 21 in 2 regattas. 42 in 1 regatta.
Of the boats that raced in 1, 2 or 3 regattas, 45% travelled outside their region.
These are considered “mobile” competitors (have access to a trailer, etc). Large
attendance gains could be made if these mobile teams could be encouraged to
participate in more events. If 10% added just one event to their schedule, this
would add about 17 more starters to the series – an average of 2 boats per regatta.
GOALS for 2001
In 2001, the VP Racing will continue to help build regatta attendance and contribute
to the quality of events by:
1. Keeping attendance records of Counter regattas.
2. Publishing a timely regatta Calendar.
3. Finding good venues for regattas.
4. Providing tangible help to local organizers in running well-managed, competitive
and fun regattas. In addition to the standardized forms, Guidelines for CSCA Regatta
Organizers will be published. This will be based on an ISAF model, as well as that
of other successful classes.
6. Promote regattas and programs for racers. A database of Canadian Shark Racers
will be compiled. Promotion will be continued through SharkBytes and The Racing Page.
2001 Regatta Calendar highlights:
A return to Kingston for the North American Championship at KYC. Back to Quebec!!!
for Counter regatta at PCYC in Montreal. The Gold Cup at Mimico CC, site of the 2
002 Worlds. SPSC will again host the Canadian Championship on Lac St. Clair.
A Shark start at the 1-design regatta at EYC, along with other great fleets
incluging Etchells, Solings, Dragons, and 8-metres.
Submitted by Eric Calvert, February 24th, 2001
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