Hot Scots - Top Gun School -2008 Midwinters

Submitted by bobnew on Sun, 03/11/2007 - 11:46
Would you be interested in coaching from the Top Guns in the Scot Class? I'm talking about the likes of Greg Fisher, Marc Egan, Harry Carpenter and others on topics such as boat set-up, upwind speed, downwind speed, mark roundings, sailing in the chop, crew teamwork and many others. $25 per person will include a minimum of five hours of classroom (and maybe individual coaching and boat set-up critiques) all handouts and a "HOT SCOTS- TOP GUN SCHOOL" cap...I feel the need for speed! There were 40 boats at St. Pete this year and that number should be at least 60. Would this clinic be a drawing card for you and your crew??? Read-on about our plans and then reply to indicate your interest and comment on who you would like to hear and what topics would bring you in.... This is an idea spawned by Tom Hubbel's book "Sailboat Racing with Greg Fisher" which documents the curriculum of Coach TCA, a racing clinic held in the past by the Thistle Class Association at their Midwinters at St. Pete. Coach TCA has been instrumental in getting marginal sailors comfortable and more competitive in larger fleets. There are several thousand Scots within a day's drive of St. Pete. We want you there. There is plenty of time in the existing format to schedule an hour each day for a specific topic and the weather usually creates long periods of postponements ashore during which lots of parking-lot chatting and sea stories are shared. That time could be put to use learning from the talent on hand. Just assemble in the classroom when the "AP" goes up. The facilities are perfect for this. Greg Fisher has agreed to be the Dean of the school, coordinating the topics and speakers. I have agreed to do the logistics, drumming up participation, creating handouts and coordinating schedules. Please let us know what you think about this idea? Would this tip the scales for you to you attend Midwinters? Who would you like to learn from? What specifics would you like to learn? If you would not come to Midwinters under any circumstances, why not? Thanks for reading... now vote with your reply... Bob New FS 5143 Merritt Island Florida Fleet Captain Fleet 179
‹ Mid Winter Results Mid-winters and Warm-up crew needed ›

Comments

Sounds super, Bob.

Submitted by fssaeditor on Sun, 03/11/2007 - 13:15.
Sounds super, Bob. I just wish I had been able to be there this year. Hank FSSA Forum editor

I think that is a good idea Bob, with the schedule set as it is

Submitted by Dave812 on Sun, 03/11/2007 - 19:33.
I think that is a good idea Bob, with the schedule set as it is there would be ample time to do instruction.

I'm definitely interested.

Submitted by Dinghy Capt on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 08:00.
I'm definitely interested. I know 5 other scot sailors that would probably attend as well. Ryan Flynn FS 3020 Tampa, FL

Man, I'm in.

Submitted by mad max on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 09:49.
Man, I'm in. The Coach TCA program has been a great shot in the arm for the Thistle class. We used to have a Thistle and had the opportunity to attend the Coach TCA at Thistle Mids. The first couple of years might not bring booming crowds, but the energy will be contagious...bringing more to FS Mids and more active sailors to the FS class. I just bought my first FS. I am looking for any coaching that I can get. Thanks for considering this great coaching approach for us back-of-the-pack sailors. Dan

Hi Bob, That would definitely get me back to St Pete!! I did

Submitted by MikeNoone5468 on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 21:57.
Hi Bob, That would definitely get me back to St Pete!! I did not attend this year largely because of the antics that I experienced last year from the SPSC members who are not Scot sailors, and are not at all enthusiastic about visitors to "their" facility!! Towing from Pennsylvania would be a joy if we could interact with, and learn from, Greg Fisher and the other "Scot Hot-Shots" at the end of the trip. My Thistle friends tell me that the "Coach-TCA" is the highlight of their annual trip to St Pete. Mike.

Great idea, Bob.

Submitted by wbross1 on Fri, 03/23/2007 - 08:49.
Great idea, Bob. I am glad to see someone willing to pick up this ball. I made a haf baked attempt at the NAC - Carlyle a few years back. Not as sophisticated as the TCA idea but it was a beginning. let's get it going, we need something like this Big Time!! Especially ME! Re: SPYC... I can tell you that the SPYC people want us there and desire to have us continue coming in the future. They let it be known to the class that they had a spot for us if we wanted to come back in the beginning. Bill Ross, FS/5210 Commodore FSSA

Bill Ross  F/S 6020

Chairman FSSA National Championship Committee

Top Gun School was a rousing success according to feedback from

Submitted by bobnew on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 15:44.
Top Gun School was a rousing success according to feedback from participants at the 2008 MWC at St. Pete this week. Sessions were moderated by Greg Fisher and included input from a long list of great sailors who have done well in Flying Scots. To list them would risk slighting someone through oversight, but the information was pricelelss and apparently paid off for Mike and Brenda Noone. They won race 4 in the Challenger division primarily by paying attention to Brian Hayes' excellent discussion on wind and current in Tampa Bay. They were given a "Top Top Gun" award as the most improved sailors for the regatta. Greg Fisher was voted the Allen Douglas Sportsmanship Trophy for demonstrating an unlimited capacity to share his knowledge of Scots and sailing. Well over 75% of the skippers and crews at the regatta attended most of the sessions, creating standing room only at times. Some participants remarked that the seminars were worth the price of the entire regatta. A huge thank you to all who contributed ... Please know that you have made a great contribution to the future of Scot sailing and you were there at the beginning of something we think is going to just get better and better. Bob New FS 5143 Merritt Island Florida Fleet Captain Fleet 179

And many, many thanks to Bob New for conceiving, and organizing

Submitted by fssaeditor on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 21:43.
And many, many thanks to Bob New for conceiving, and organizing the Top Gun sessions: all the while understanding the tremendous benefits that would come to us who attended. FSSA Forum editor

Congratulations, Bob.

Submitted by wbross1 on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 16:53.
Congratulations, Bob. This was one great add on to the MidWinters and to those who missed it, you will have to try next year. I brought a teen age sailor with me from our Club and he made sure we got up in the morning so as not to miss a word. Awesome! Bill Ross, FS/5210 FSSA National Championship Cmtte.

Bill Ross  F/S 6020

Chairman FSSA National Championship Committee

I attended the Midwinters and every top gun session.

Submitted by Bruce on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 13:04.
I attended the Midwinters and every top gun session. After getting over the feeling that I'm not smart enough to sail a scot competetively, my son and I leaned a lot. I would love to see this continue and have one question; why can't we do something along these lines during the NACs too? Bruce FS2777
Bruce FS 5600

I would attend.

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 20:21.
I would attend. My crew and I have a hard time making it to MW, but we will be in Tom's River. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

To all who contributed to and all who attended, the TopGun sch

Submitted by FS5257 on Sat, 04/05/2008 - 10:53.
To all who contributed to and all who attended, the TopGun school was a true learning experience. The facilitator's were relating to real time experience's on the water that all endured and it made sense. No 'Why you should buy our sails' crap. It was nice to see as many kids and young adults there was at the MW, dovetailing w/ more Spring Breaks makes taking a vacation more beneficial for the whole family. My wife and daughter #1 spent the week 'around town' and hooked uo for the evening Scot festivities. St. Pete is a wonderful venue and the SPYC is a true old-school, well heeled YC. To be able to enjoy their facility (and hospitality) for a week, does give a wonderful glance into how 'the other half' lives ! ..... all I need is a wining lotto and I'm there. I can not think of a place that offers what St. Pete does, at this time of year. I believe it snowed in Atlanta the third day of the MW's and Wisconsin .... well it was not pretty. Thanks to all and see you next year !