I was pondering the Freerace concept and did a search for the forums posts where the concept was discussed in detail but could not find it. The INFO page on the Green Island Nationals page seems to give the best explanation of it but it only mentions total distance in 1 hr.

I see the Wind Wanderers run a similar concept for their Freerace series.

My question is, has anyone tried including more, or all of the GPS-TC divisions into a Freerace type concept?

When I originally heard of this Freerace idea, that is what I assumed it would probably be about. That it would involve compromising outright distance to try to score high in the other divisions as well, introducing more tactics and strategy into the race which to me has always been what windsurf racing of any kind has been all about.

This is why I find GPS speed sailing addictive and challenging. Obviously, the guy with the biggest body and most highly developed gear will dominate in pure speed events where everyone races in the exact same conditions. But free up the time and conditions and it becomes tactical. Pick the right time and place to sail and you could out perform your size and others equipment. Have the experience, skill and guts to optimistically launch yourself into massive squall and you might just do a PB. Pick the right part of the course and you may just be the fastest. GPS speed sailing is not about everyone being forced to compete within a narrow set of time and conditions, what some erroneously call an 'even playing field' (which it is most definitely not!).

So back to FreeRace. I guess one premise behind it is to put everyone on and 'even playing field' and see who goes the furthest in a set time. OK, that can prove a number of things, like, who has the best sailing fitness, who has the best Physique for sailing fast beam reaching, who has (or chooses) the most efficient board, sail and fin for those particular conditions on the day (part tactical, part financial capacity).

But if you introduce all the other aspects of the GPSTC, it suddenly gets much more interesting. Compromises have to be made. Tactics have to be considered. One might have to sacrifice outright distance to score highly in the other aspects. The choice of gear might become less specific and specialized.

If the 5 aspects (2 sec, 5 x 10 sec, Alpha 500, NM and distance) are evenly weighted, it could make for a very interesting competition. Or you could score it as a number of separate divisions within the overall framework and acknowledge the best performers in each.
Has anyone actually tried to run such a combined competition?

The Tassie boys ran a GPS5 event only a fortnight ago - have a look in the Tassie forum. I am all for it and it would be great if it could somehow be incorporated onto the team challenge (but only on a single session basis, not an accumulative of ones best PBs achieved over different sessions).

I suppose to make a true and fair competition it'd have to be run in a defined time window and spot e.g. an hour or two or however long you wanted so all competitors are on a level playing field .

I think even challenging your own GPS5 pb on your home turf would add another level of individual and interteam competition to the challenge

PS I know distance and hour are one and the same if sailing for 60 minutes, but think the hour score being in knots like the other 4 categories is the fairer choice as an accumulative score.

The GPSTC doesn't care if its fair
eg, all teams sail at different locations and a winner is awarded
Its been obvious for yrs that certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW
If you disagree with the above, then come sail NSW Daffy, and see if you can win the gpstc only posting from there

The bit I hate the most, is ten NSW sailors will go out of state, lake George, get great results in much better conditions, and then those numbers now elevate them to the top of the NSW rankings with data that wasn't accumulated in NSW

I thought for yrs now, that the competition should incorporated variety of sessions from different locations to make it fairer for ALL
Eg Daffys overall GPS ranking isn't his best sess at a much better location than most, but a combined score achieved at a variety of locations

Gps freerace has been going for ages
Larko ran one yrs ago, the only data used for rankings on the day was the hr

Apart from the social side of things, I cant see why you cant nominate locations, a timeframe, and allow people to post from there, then accumulate the data

Most GPS sailors don't want the hassle of direct competition, plus the money spent on joining clubs ect

Heaps of people have left the race format, because of time wasted, money wasted, don't allow the race clubs ect to take this format from the people that have been committed and contributing to the success of the GPSTC format

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lidsy1 said..
The GPSTC doesn't care if its fair
eg, all teams sail at different locations and a winner is awarded
Its been obvious for yrs that certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW
If you disagree with the above, then come sail NSW Daffy, and see if you can win the gpstc only posting from there

The bit I hate the most, is ten NSW sailors will go out of state, lake George, get great results in much better conditions, and then those numbers now elevate them to the top of the NSW rankings with data that wasn't accumulated in NSW

I thought for yrs now, that the competition should incorporated variety of sessions from different locations to make it fairer for ALL
Eg Daffys overall GPS ranking isn't his best sess at a much better location than most, but a combined score achieved at a variety of locations

Gps freerace has been going for ages
Larko ran one yrs ago, the only data used for rankings on the day was the hr

Apart from the social side of things, I cant see why you cant nominate locations, a timeframe, and allow people to post from there, then accumulate the data

Most GPS sailors don't want the hassle of direct competition, plus the money spent on joining clubs ect

Heaps of people have left the race format, because of time wasted, money wasted, don't allow the race clubs ect to take this format from the people that have been committed and contributing to the success of the GPSTC format

I think if you are willing to travel as a team then you can be consistently up there in the GPSTC rankings.
Look at the GPSTC leaders - Coastal Speed Team.
Yes they have a few good speed sailing spots locally, but they put the K's in to find good spots regularly.
Liptons, Boombas, Fangy's are a +150km round trip from Perth, not to mention the willingness to travel to a few spots in one day to make the most of the tides.
Lilacs in Albany is a 600km drive
Shark Bay is almost 1000k's
If you want to do well in GPSTC then get off your arse and go and explore.
Find a spot you can get good numbers instead of complaining that your local is not conducive of GPSTC results.

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lidsy1 said..
certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW

Well with Sandy Pt 40mins from my front door, and having been in NSW a few weeks back and having had a sail at Primbee whilst there, i can definitely say my choice of spot would be.... Primbee. I've also been to Lake George the last 2 years (I missed the golden 40kt NM year) and again - what i saw at Primbee a few weeks back is better than what LG has been the last 2. You NSW guys have some ripper spots - well certainly Primbee is one anyway. Consistent wind strength... well thats another story, but in terms of quality spots its right up there.

Its not much of a challenge if its not about identifying adavantages, such as location, and taking it into account

It full shiz me, everytime anyone trys to raise an issue within inside the GPSTC, its always met hostility,

Been contributing to gps sailing for over 7yrs, why is it so unexpected to think one feels attached after that

you don't have to agree, but the TC should try and create a platform where one can have a say, free of anything else

This was raised after the way Akim was treated for challenging format



The freerace is suggesting it will create a fairer platform if all data is gathered at same location, same time......
But the GPSTC doesn't do that, and awards overall winner regardless of where data was collected,
So, obviously there is a vast difference there

From a state point of view, NSW, "I" think it suxs that data achieved out of state contributes to NSW rankings and data

I would like it if the NSW rankings were representative of data collected within the state

Its the same with more local team
I hate to think the number one in our team was someone who achieved there data outside what is considered our area

From a NSW point of view, its impossible to compete with the numbers some will be getting at lake George this yr, making all the data collected in NSW mute, compared to one sweet sess at Lake George?
Before that, it was, the whoever went to sandy pt rankings

Why cant there be restrictions in regards to state rankings as NSW is definitely at a disadvantage to whats on offer compared else where??

Im not saying don't travel, have great sessions, Its just more of a ranking thing and getting the state rankings to be more reflective of the sailing within inside the state

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DanP said..

lidsy1 said..
certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW

Well with Sandy Pt 40mins from my front door, and having been in NSW a few weeks back and having had a sail at Primbee whilst there, i can definitely say my choice of spot would be.... Primbee. I've also been to Lake George the last 2 years (I missed the golden 40kt NM year) and again - what i saw at Primbee a few weeks back is better than what LG has been the last 2. You NSW guys have some ripper spots - well certainly Primbee is one anyway. Consistent wind strength... well thats another story, but in terms of quality spots its right up there.

Oh, well that's great to hear

The data collect at both spots is vastly different

I know that can be contributed to sailors individual prowess, and things may get more even over the next few yrs thanks to more weed bank style sailing as opposed to solely speed strips, sandy pt ect

But a lot of sailors who get so so numbers in NSW, get a lot better numbers in SA

Andrew, we are running a freerace series in NSW this year, based on average speed (using KA72 software). Event locations are Sydney, Primbee (DanP was there that day) and Lake Macquarie across the summer.

http://www.stormriderswindsurfingclub.com/gps-free-race---windsurfing-nsw-tour.html

One variation is that we have done 30 minute sessions (instead of 1 hr) to encourage more people to be part of it. It's been really successful so far and seems like people have enjoyed it.

The thing about the 1 hr/30 min average is that it combines all the aspects of the GPSTC into one measurable result. To get a good hour, you need to be fast (ie 2 sec), consistent (ie 5x10), smooth gybing (ie good alpha). There is a lot of strategy involved in whether its faster to do long runs (NM) across the chop, or shorter speed runs in flatter water. Everyone sailing together and going hard is a lot of fun.

The GPS5 that Tassie did is great, but could be tricky to score with a larger field if you wanted a defined time period. As Brian says it also needs to be tied down to a location. Its not really fair to have a statewide competition, as conditions vary so much up and down the coast (especially in NSW).

At the end of the day, whatever gets people on the water, sailing together, enjoying each others company is a success in my view. GPSTC has certainly done this. Hopefully ad-hoc Freerace events can continue to run in parallel with GPSTC and they will complement each other.

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lidsy1 said..

It full shiz me, everytime anyone trys to raise an issue within inside the GPSTC, its always met hostility,

Sorry if my reply was taken with hostility lidsy1.
I was only trying to make a general comment of the need to visit more locations to extract the best out of conditions provided.
It wasn't directed to you but the whole GPSTC community.

I think the GPS5 Freerace concept is great and there has already been quite a bit of discussion as to how we try and manage this format within TAS (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Tasmania/GPS5-FUN-COMP-Saturday-or-Sunday-89-Nov/).

As far as recording the top GPS speeds within ones own state, we have the following spot record list for TAS that gets updated whenever a spot record is broken or a new spot records a top speed of 35 or more:

Stanley East Inlet:
46.15
Anthony Perkins gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2014-01-06&team=27

Port Sorell:
43.560
Izaak Perkins gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-08-18&team=27

Henty River:
42.39
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?team=27&date=2012-04-28

Montagu:
40.910
Izaak Perkins gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2011-05-13&team=27

Stanley West Inlet:
40.100
Anthony Perkins gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-03-21&team=27

Doran's:
40.09
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2011-04-23&team=27

Muddy Creek:
39.198
Izaak Perkins gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2012-06-04&team=27

Pittwater East (the Chicken Run)
38.01
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-10-19&team=27

Pittwater West:
37.97
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-01-04&team=27

Cremorne:
37.43
Kaleb Smith gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2011-11-09&team=27

North-West Bank (Tamar River):
37.29
Ben Flood gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?team=27&date=2014-02-09

Mortimer Bay:
37.100
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2009-08-01&team=27

Marion Bay Lagoon:
37.03
Dave Morehead gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-12-28&team=27

Robbins Passage (Johno's Run)
36.13
Ian Johnson gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-01-01&team=27

Derwent River (South of Tasman Bridge:
35.84
Steve Charles gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2013-10-18&team=27

Derwent River (North of Tasman Bridge):
35.09
Steve Charles gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2014-07-03&team=27

Plenty of challenge for anyone who wants one. Even sailors from interstate can have a go!!

We are definitely keen on a FreeRace series here in Perth - and for that matter we would get plenty of crew up for a monthly DownWinder.

Having spoken with a fair number of younger and older intermediate and semi-pro sailors here we could definitely sustain FR/DW/SL in the Summer and Longboard Courseracing in the winter(prep for Raceboard/Windsurfer Nationals)

We have a great Midweek short-course slalom and Friday would be a good arvo for monthly DW. DW'ing is huge here in Perth - we even have dedicated Downwinder taxi services! SUP and Kite guys are taking full advantage though the scene is ripe to slot Sailors in formally.

Sorry I'm slightly off-topic not looking at the nuts & bolts of FreeRace - anyone that knows me knows I'm more of a broad strokes and big picture kind of guy when it comes to anything other than using my fat fingers for intricate work!

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lidsy1 said..
The GPSTC doesn't care if its fair
eg, all teams sail at different locations and a winner is awarded
Its been obvious for yrs that certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW
If you disagree with the above, then come sail NSW Daffy, and see if you can win the gpstc only posting from there

The bit I hate the most, is ten NSW sailors will go out of state, lake George, get great results in much better conditions, and then those numbers now elevate them to the top of the NSW rankings with data that wasn't accumulated in NSW

I thought for yrs now, that the competition should incorporated variety of sessions from different locations to make it fairer for ALL
Eg Daffys overall GPS ranking isn't his best sess at a much better location than most, but a combined score achieved at a variety of locations

Gps freerace has been going for ages
Larko ran one yrs ago, the only data used for rankings on the day was the hr

Apart from the social side of things, I cant see why you cant nominate locations, a timeframe, and allow people to post from there, then accumulate the data

Most GPS sailors don't want the hassle of direct competition, plus the money spent on joining clubs ect

Heaps of people have left the race format, because of time wasted, money wasted, don't allow the race clubs ect to take this format from the people that have been committed and contributing to the success of the GPSTC format

1. I am not suggesting in any way that GPSTC and some concept of 'Freerace' are, or should be in any way related. I happen to think the GPSTC is pretty much perfect now. Sorry if you don't.

2. You can voice your opinions on the GPSTC any time you like just as you have done above. Just like the rest of us.

3. There is no such thing as a 'level playing field', There are always advantages and disadvantages for individuals and teams in any competition. Get over it and get a strategy to use what you have.

4. The whole advantage of the GPSTC and GPS-Speedsurfing is that you can do whatever suits you at wherever. Thats why it is successful. Whats the difference between having the ability to travel to different venues and having the ability to buy the best equipment for the job, or having the time to sail and train? As I said, there is never a level playing field! Not even in Windsurfer One Design racing!!

5. My musings are aimed at the possibility of clubs or GPSTC teams, or even event promoters running stand alone events using GPS as the evaluation tool. Simple as that. It seems other people have done and are doing such things.

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jamesf said..
Andrew, we are running a freerace series in NSW this year, based on average speed (using KA72 software). Event locations are Sydney, Primbee (DanP was there that day) and Lake Macquarie across the summer.

http://www.stormriderswindsurfingclub.com/gps-free-race---windsurfing-nsw-tour.html

One variation is that we have done 30 minute sessions (instead of 1 hr) to encourage more people to be part of it. It's been really successful so far and seems like people have enjoyed it.

The thing about the 1 hr/30 min average is that it combines all the aspects of the GPSTC into one measurable result. To get a good hour, you need to be fast (ie 2 sec), consistent (ie 5x10), smooth gybing (ie good alpha). There is a lot of strategy involved in whether its faster to do long runs (NM) across the chop, or shorter speed runs in flatter water. Everyone sailing together and going hard is a lot of fun.

The GPS5 that Tassie did is great, but could be tricky to score with a larger field if you wanted a defined time period. As Brian says it also needs to be tied down to a location. Its not really fair to have a statewide competition, as conditions vary so much up and down the coast (especially in NSW).

At the end of the day, whatever gets people on the water, sailing together, enjoying each others company is a success in my view. GPSTC has certainly done this. Hopefully ad-hoc Freerace events can continue to run in parallel with GPSTC and they will complement each other.

Great to hear!

It is also good to hear that you have made it more accessible with the 30 minute format.

I see your reasoning about the distance combining all aspects in a way, but still think it would be very interesting to try an format that includes actually scoring the other 4 things as it appears the Tassie guys have done. I think the whole idea of a Freerace is to have an event where people get together at a single venue and sail together at the same time, or at least in a limited time period. It is clear that the network of teams and people that the GPSTC has created can facilitate an extension to have such gatherings, formal or informal. I totally agree with what you express in your last paragraph!

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Man0verBoard said..
We are definitely keen on a FreeRace series here in Perth - and for that matter we would get plenty of crew up for a monthly DownWinder.

Having spoken with a fair number of younger and older intermediate and semi-pro sailors here we could definitely sustain FR/DW/SL in the Summer and Longboard Courseracing in the winter(prep for Raceboard/Windsurfer Nationals)

We have a great Midweek short-course slalom and Friday would be a good arvo for monthly DW. DW'ing is huge here in Perth - we even have dedicated Downwinder taxi services! SUP and Kite guys are taking full advantage though the scene is ripe to slot Sailors in formally.

Sorry I'm slightly off-topic not looking at the nuts & bolts of FreeRace - anyone that knows me knows I'm more of a broad strokes and big picture kind of guy when it comes to anything other than using my fat fingers for intricate work!

That all sounds terrific! Not off topic at all really. The topic from my point of view was about alternative ways to run 'events' where people get together. all good I recon!

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AUS02 said..
I think the GPS5 Freerace concept is great and there has already been quite a bit of discussion as to how we try and manage this format within TAS (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Tasmania/GPS5-FUN-COMP-Saturday-or-Sunday-89-Nov/).

I missed noticing this. What a great fun concept! Well done!

I am guessing it could also work well for a gathering at a specific venue.

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sailquik said..

lidsy1 said..
The GPSTC doesn't care if its fair
eg, all teams sail at different locations and a winner is awarded
Its been obvious for yrs that certain locations in Australia are way more advantages then other spots
Eg, sandy pt, compared to NSW
If you disagree with the above, then come sail NSW Daffy, and see if you can win the gpstc only posting from there

The bit I hate the most, is ten NSW sailors will go out of state, lake George, get great results in much better conditions, and then those numbers now elevate them to the top of the NSW rankings with data that wasn't accumulated in NSW

I thought for yrs now, that the competition should incorporated variety of sessions from different locations to make it fairer for ALL
Eg Daffys overall GPS ranking isn't his best sess at a much better location than most, but a combined score achieved at a variety of locations

Gps freerace has been going for ages
Larko ran one yrs ago, the only data used for rankings on the day was the hr

Apart from the social side of things, I cant see why you cant nominate locations, a timeframe, and allow people to post from there, then accumulate the data

Most GPS sailors don't want the hassle of direct competition, plus the money spent on joining clubs ect

Heaps of people have left the race format, because of time wasted, money wasted, don't allow the race clubs ect to take this format from the people that have been committed and contributing to the success of the GPSTC format

1. I am not suggesting in any way that GPSTC and some concept of 'Freerace' are, or should be in any way related. I happen to think the GPSTC is pretty much perfect now. Sorry if you don't.

2. You can voice your opinions on the GPSTC any time you like just as you have done above. Just like the rest of us.

3. There is no such thing as a 'level playing field', There are always advantages and disadvantages for individuals and teams in any competition. Get over it and get a strategy to use what you have.

4. The whole advantage of the GPSTC and GPS-Speedsurfing is that you can do whatever suits you at wherever. Thats why it is successful. Whats the difference between having the ability to travel to different venues and having the ability to buy the best equipment for the job, or having the time to sail and train? As I said, there is never a level playing field! Not even in Windsurfer One Design racing!!

5. My musings are aimed at the possibility of clubs or GPSTC teams, or even event promoters running stand alone events using GPS as the evaluation tool. Simple as that. It seems other people have done and are doing such things.

Thanks for the reply

As said, we had the first GPS freerace at Booti Booti yrs ago

It was ok, easy, same place, same time, sail, analyze data, award winner

Glad to c everyones finally caught up

The overall conclusion on freerace was......why have such a small time frame, eg same time
that limits opportunity for wind, for people to be able to make it
and apart from the social side, having thirty plus sailors sail on top of each other, running different lines with different approaches to sailing wasn't the safest

You may as well just make a month, sail wherever in January, the best sess from whom ever wins the whatever cup
the more relaxed time frame represents the GPSTC format a bit better

Then maybe lock it down for same time, same place for state comps, national titles

you can have local cups, triple crowns ect, you can have state comps at different places, national comps on and on

The advantage of having the GPS unit means it does all the officiating, so no need for race clubs, insurance ect, no need for witness, just collect data


My main point prior to this post was about the state rankings reflecting where the data was gathered

I would like the state rankings to reflect what was achieved within the state???

The GPSTC is great an individual guide, more club local comp assuming data was collected in deemed area

Its not perfect when used as a comp between teams nationally,

You also need some form of handicapping system..maybe how your performance on the day compares to your pbs for each category. need to level the playing field a bit. No way I could ever match the guys scores but it it compares how well each person is sailing to their skill level that would be better.

Sue if joined the NSW comp you would be the first amongst the Females, on and could claim (kind of) to be fastest GPS comp certified Lady in NSW. Next comp is at Lake Macquarie. I really like the freerace as I can see how I'm going against the rest of the competitors and know if I'm improving or not in relation to them, in the same wind and water conditions. I think James and Adam are doing a great job with it don't really see the need to handicap it.

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sboardcrazy said..
You also need some form of handicapping system..maybe how your performance on the day compares to your pbs for each category. need to level the playing field a bit. No way I could ever match the guys scores but it it compares how well each person is sailing to their skill level that would be better.

Have been operating a monthly handicap competition (just for fun) in our team (Burrum Heads MOB) and a few other local sailors
who expressed an interest. It is based on your previous years pbs against what you achieve this year. Each month we concentrate on only one or two
categories. The fastest sailor is not necessarily going to win the coveted trophy and usually doesn't. The likely winners are up and coming sailors
who are still improving.
You can see past and present tables on our facebook page. www.facebook.com/groups/584746731548783/

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Dean 424 said..
Sue if joined the NSW comp you would be the first amongst the Females, on and could claim (kind of) to be fastest GPS comp certified Lady in NSW. Next comp is at Lake Macquarie. I really like the freerace as I can see how I'm going against the rest of the competitors and know if I'm improving or not in relation to them, in the same wind and water conditions. I think James and Adam are doing a great job with it don't really see the need to handicap it.

I'd be the only one..?

Yes you would, but someone has to do it. Sorry next event on in Botany on December 6 and Lake Macquaire on the 18th of Jan.

Hi SQ,
Great to see your interested in FR, if I don't get back to your reply to this it's not personal.. just that I'm probably on a plane to Maui!

Windwanderers are not the inventors of such, but fair to say between our events and the GI Nats (2 years now) some of us have done more of these anyone. (over 12 now) It's also fair to say amongst the WW crew we have spent by far the most time developing the concept, series, how it operates and is scored etc and importantly with thanks to Dylan at KA72.com the software.

I think the easiest way to explain FR is that it's very 'simple' and 'fun' and encourages sailors of all sorts of levels and equipment to come together as a collective group and sail together at the same time and the same place!

It is not competition to GPSTC, in anyway shape or form, nor is there any interest from our part in trying to breakdown, 2seconds, 500m's, 10 Seconds or any other data, each sailor can still input their own GPS data to find those numbers themselves through the varies GPS sites and comps already running.


A lot of windsurfers (I know you might struggle to believe this) are not really that interested in GPS stuff because they know they don't have the 'local' conditions to compete on a national or worldwide scale, and or don't have endless time and money to travel around to find those locations, (job's & families) many simply 'just want to hit the water whenever they can without the stress of worrying about speeds etc' .

Many also don't want to really be on our computers all the time checking our results...(computers = work for many!) But deep down many sailors are really interested in seeing how they might go against their local peers In the same local conditions on the same day, race format like.

Traditional racing is harder to organise as requires more resources on the water (which generally are nil for most organisations!) Freerace requires very little.
There was a comment above about safety...FR is a ****e load safer than trying to have 20 guys gybe at the same mark at the same time!
It also is an easy non intimidating format for newbies to be able to join in, (which is what Windwanders encourages and is strong focus of the club).

'Strategy' you are mistaken if you think there is no strategy in trying to milk your best average speed for one hour in a defined area, there is heaps, wind shifts, wind shadows on the course, down wind, up wind, tides, choppy spots, smooth spots, where you sail and how you sail on the course is very important, you can't just simply do a big A downwind run for 1 hr, there is defined area where you can sail OR your speed will be 0 out of that area. The ability to read the wind and conditions be on the best part of the course is crucial also. Without a doubt if you can set your self up for a few big down wind runs this is going to up your average, so you get to use your Speed Sailing Skills, And of course it helps if you crank out a decent gybe or 20! Slalom Skills

'Gear' firstly we only sail +15knot conditions which reduces the need to have giant boards and sails, in our race class there are no restrictions, as the guys in this class generally will always own a large quiver of gear regardless. In frererace class it's under 8m and under 80cm board. Newbies no restrictions, if they want to do it on a SB GO they are more than welcome!

The right sailor could easily win a FR series with one board 2 sails max, and it's a realistic travel quiver for interstate events etc.

'Sailor Fitness/strength/technique etc' yep, sailing flat out (especially in choppy water is tough going) but not OTT , yes a fitter stronger sailor will have an advantage of a less fit/stronger sailor, it is a sport after all, generally fitter stronger people do better at sport than those that are not, you can't handicap people because they are fitter or stronger, quite the opposite.

One of Queensland's best 1 Hour sailors is a girl, and a lot smaller than many guys, and beats many bigger guys often, so really don't see how you think bigger is a certainty. We are not sailing dead flat perfect speed runs here, nor are we aiming for world records.

Kaleb Smith (Nats Winner) is not the biggest guy, but he smashed us all in really tough conditions at the Nats, simply sailed better than the rest of us, certainly his size wasn't an advantage, and given that he sailed both the FR and Slalom, safe to say he's a super fit/strong sailor also.


'Event' this is a perhaps harder to explain, but at the end of the day Free Race is an event, an equal playing field event, and it is part of 'club' that is part of a series competition, and now also has a National Title. So when talking to media, government, or potential sponsors it's really simple and easy to explain, 'it's happening today at spot X at X time' and at the end of the hour someone will be the winner.

Being an event hopefully attracts a crowd of sailors and friends etc all at the same time and the same place, thus bring everyone together at once at the same location. General public can see the 'windsurfing event;' they know where and where to go to watch, it looks good as there are lots of sails on the water at once and it creates interest to the general public, which inturn promotes the sport to the wider public.

The format is obviously popular, it's simple, fair and fun, non complex and I can only see it grow, especially with Interstate crew getting involved and international interest also. It also has a fair built of flexibility built in, to each locations local conditions and preferences.

There is a fair bit of info, heaps of photo's, GPS replays, current results ladder etc all on the website.http://www.freeracequeensland.com/ you can also like us on the FB site also.


Hopefully the above explains your questions, its simply , 'flat out fun'.

Our next event is Lake Cootharaba Sunshine Coast in January, and its a Marathon FreeRace event.. 2hr and or 100km's! That will really test everyone out

If you get the chance to do a FR event give it a go, think you will find you may like it.

Happy Sailing
Jonesy

Hi Jonesy,

Thanks for all your work on the Freerace. I agree with all your points above and think that are valid and simple which would make freerace a popular event in the future. However I believe that the max board width should be in line with PWA standards and therefore board manufacturers at 85cm wide and not 80 cm wide as a lot of people have purchased gear that they could use for a slalom event. In NSW a 120 Lt is one of the most popular, however the isonic 120 is 80.5cm wide and is a board that would commonly be used by the heavier gentleman in 15 knots. The starboard atomic 120 is also 80.5cm. Patrick 128lt is 81 cm, but the 122 is just under at 77.5cm. Fanatic and exocet are just inside the 80cm, but that may change next year. This would mean the that Starboard 120lt boards (who supported the freerace at green island would not be eligible for entry). Also the sail size should be a max at 8.6m or thereabouts which is common size as well. Nothing worse than slogging on a slalom board. I have already seen in a recent NSW event that if one trys to rig too big that won't last the time in windy conditions. Also I have seen good sailors not been able to get up on the plane when the wind was 15 knots but dropped to slightly less for short periods on 110lt boards with 7.8ms. Just my 20 cents worth.

I don't see any need to restrict equipment at all.
If you enforce / specify wind limits then you naturally limit the equipment required.
Any equipment limits will always disadvantage someone.
My race sails for example are only 7.8 8.6 9.5.

Select to expand quote

Dean 424 said..
Hi Jonesy,

Thanks for all your work on the Freerace. I agree with all your points above and think that are valid and simple which would make freerace a popular event in the future. However I believe that the max board width should be in line with PWA standards and therefore board manufacturers at 85cm wide and not 80 cm wide as a lot of people have purchased gear that they could use for a slalom event. In NSW a 120 Lt is one of the most popular, however the isonic 120 is 80.5cm wide and is a board that would commonly be used by the heavier gentleman in 15 knots. The starboard atomic 120 is also 80.5cm. Patrick 128lt is 81 cm, but the 122 is just under at 77.5cm. Fanatic and exocet are just inside the 80cm, but that may change next year. This would mean the that Starboard 120lt boards (who supported the freerace at green island would not be eligible for entry). Also the sail size should be a max at 8.6m or thereabouts which is common size as well. Nothing worse than slogging on a slalom board. I have already seen in a recent NSW event that if one trys to rig too big that won't last the time in windy conditions. Also I have seen good sailors not been able to get up on the plane when the wind was 15 knots but dropped to slightly less for short periods on 110lt boards with 7.8ms. Just my 20 cents worth.

Yep, have all similar feedback, its something that is still out for discussion, and review. Somehow the goal really to have a class within the FR that can avoid the associated equipment wars and keep the costs low as possible, the best thing as mentioned that helps with that is a decent wind minimum, which we have been able to achieve. this kind of keeps the need for an arsenal of gear at bay.

We could just clone every body to look the same, have the same body size and shape and problem solved !

Bye for now off to Maui for a week! Yee haa!