Collingrove Cup

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Comment by Sakamoto on November 11, 2011 at 12:28

The Open Standups Div is the only division which seems to have had any issues with the format and the effort made by the volunteers at Collingrove. (Any mention of Bomb is being purely made to muck rake, so it's not worth answering). For everyones benefit, I'll explain the weekend and exactly what happened, so any misconceptions can be allayed.

I went to Collingrove as a spectator only, to catchup with friends and play "Pit Bitch" for them. Other spectators who ended up helping were in the same boat, going to support their respective partners who were racing. On the Saturday morning, about 30 mins after getting to the event, I was asked to throw a format together as I was informed that the format which had been arranged/created by others wasn't suitable ( I'm not privy as to why it was unsuitable, I didn't sight the format and make no judgement on the format supplied ). In my bag, I had one blank heat sheet from previous events, and within an hour we had a format in place, heats all drawn up and sheets printed off to start the racing after practice. Not bad, considering myself, and the two girls, walked in cold yet racing went off with no issues on Saturday. No timing system was available, so we had to create a suitable qualifying setup in preparation for Sunday. Just to mention, quite a few hours were spent on Saturday night doing paperwork for the racers, as opposed to enjoying time with friends.

Riders meeting on Sunday morning, Canada and Toddy officiated, with me explaining the format, which was a "Repercharge" format. After explaining the format, I asked the gathering if anyone had any questions; I actually asked twice. Not one person raised any issues/questions, so we went into the days racing. The first round went off without any issues, and then riders were split into the main event for the 1st round winners, and the losers going into the "repercharge". It had been explained that once being eliminated at this stage, regardless of which arm of the format you were racing in, main or repercharge, that was it, end of your event. It was also explained that the final winner of the main event and the final winner of the repercharge would race off for "Event Winner". Another point to mention; ALL riders were told that if you crash near the finish, you had to be on your respective vehicle, either standing for standups, or sitting for luge/buttboard, and cross the finishline to not be DQ'd. Everyone said they understood this on the Sunday, with senior riders agreeing that everyone knew that particular rule. After a short period of time during RND 2, riders came up and asked what was going on. I reiterated the format to these riders, and in some cases I spoke 4 times to some riders. The format/days racing continued, while some riders and some parents continued giving volunteers grief, both at the startline and finishline. With only a couple of races left for the day, we were informed by the startline that riders had been "substituted", ie, a rider who had lost one of his rounds replaced a rider who had progressed. When I asked why, I was told the skaters had made the change, and nothing to do with officials. Therefore, the final results for Open Standup are not what they should be, however it's what has been put forward as the final top placings.

The volunteers gave up their free time and weekend, when asked, to do their best at short notice to get the riders riding/racing. Mich and Leah are brilliant, and you won't find better officials for an event.

I realise the format that was used may not be a standard format that ASRA uses and one that standup riders are familiar with, however it was not difficult to understand the process.

I hope this will put an end to any speculation or the need for this turning into a "personal" thread; that attitude does no justice to anyone.

Comment by matty leadfoot on November 11, 2011 at 12:22

You can come next time and cop the blame if you like Trav. ;]

Wished you could have made it. (not to cop the blame of course) It was a great weekend, the event itself went well, and could have been perfect with some very simple changes.

You don't get an airfence, DJs and a canteen at an outlaw. These are great additions to any race meet, but Id have to agree with Jacko that outlaws are excellent when you compare the work involved in putting on one or the other.

Premium Member Comment by Trav on November 11, 2011 at 10:34

Sue people are obviously referring to the snowies schmozzle and making the ties between 2 races. Typhoon, don't think anyone blames SAGRA, just the common person / people that bodged the 2 races and made the organisers and hard working volunteers look bad..... only difference is i wasn't present at Collingrove to cop the blame this time

Comment by Typhoon on November 11, 2011 at 9:14

Whoa boys ,dont panic and jump on the blame wagon! SAGRA is finalising the results and points and will have the results up soon.The format was fugd we know but we gotta go with what we got.This was a SAGRA run event and no other parties can be blamed for the f/up. It got down to who could help out on the days as a few key volunteers couldnt show and this put a few people under the pump to run this event.A big UP to those who helped out we thank you.The junior,buttboard and luge ran super smooth but the pro div did have its dramas as you can read on the below comments.It seems pretty easy to sit on ya hands and take shots but what happened happened.It wasnt done deliberately and negative feedback is not the way to resolve this . Typhoon Pres SAGRA

Comment by Sue Wickenden on November 11, 2011 at 9:10

ps. I am GSE

Sakamoto (Andy Smith) is my best friend (stand up skate since 1969; luge 15+ years experience)

Brad Sterritt is my domestic partner (stand up skater since 1979)

PEACE

Comment by Sue Wickenden on November 11, 2011 at 8:52

"The organizers for Collingrove were SAGRA: (Toddy, Canada and Nic Duffield). None of these people are GSE.

The volunteers were Brett Phillips, Matty Leadfoot, Andy Smith, Leah, Michaela and SA locals. None of these people are GSE."

Premium Member Comment by Jacko on November 11, 2011 at 8:43

I believe that what Tom was saying is that both GSE and SAGRA blew it as far as race organizers go. Not saying GSE did this event but people remember things!

It may have not been the same organization, but the same people blowing it.

Real shame that people say how much time and effort was put Into organizing events, and say how Australia needs legit events for the sport to prosper, but the legit races that are held fail (minus the amazing events that ASRA organise) and the outlaw events are way more enjoyable for all

Premium Member Comment by Trav on November 11, 2011 at 7:05

amateur... Dani race results have to be clear and in full to be counted in the rankings. someone obviously fucked the format.

Premium Member Comment by Dani on November 11, 2011 at 6:42

WHAT? I'm in Finland and even I know the results! How can the organisers not?

Comment by Sakamoto on November 11, 2011 at 5:16

GSE had no role to play at Collingrove, in any way, shape or form.

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