[L16-usa] Tea for Two. Annually.

[Sturgis Haskins]

RE: Luders Nationals 2007

Larry Weeks writes:

I believe that we decided that as Maine hadn't sent any representation to
Chicago, and given it's near 60 year hiatus in competing in the
International Championship from 1947 - 2004, we would like to see Maine
participate in at least one more International Championship hosted elsewhere
before returning the regatta to Maine waters.

Sturgis Haskins comments:

This is curious reasoning. For a national class that is - rather frankly -
doing all it can to hold on to its remaining fleets - which until the
surprise revival of Maine - seemed to have dwindled to but two (Chicago and
New Orleans) this is an odd mindset.  The nationals  (which you insist on
called the Internationals) are annually propped up with entries from places
that  no longer actively race Luders.  (Bermuda and the West Coast come to
mind). 

It seems the reasoning of Luders officialdom that Maine, probably the
largest and most active of the surviving Luders fleets, must jump through a
few hoops before hosting the national championships. I rather suspect some
are simply miffed that Maine did not attend the recent nationals in Chicago.
We had hoped to, but as we repeatedly pointed out, August was far and away
our busiest month and not a good choice for us. We asked for a
reconsideration of the date, but the hosts were adamant. 

Speaking with candor, Mount Desert Island offers both the best scenery and
likely far and away the best maintained fleet. There are, in all, 28 Luders
in the area though all do not race.  It is probably an understatement to say
that the national class desperately needs some kind of boost - some whiff of
fresh air and some new renewed enthusiasm over and above the annual
Chicago-New Orleans match races. 

I am not certain who "administers" the "national" class, but this Luders
racer might suggest they try to be a   little more conspicuous to the class
as a whole. For starters, someone should have sent these pages the results
of national races pronto. Someone in authority should ask the remaining
fleets to send their series race results here on a regular basis. Surely,
the class president and the class secretary could send periodic reports
including an annual one.  Indeed, this newsgroup should be expanded to
include contributor's photos.  Several times I have forwarded pictures, but
they were not printed. I no longer bother to try and I think the List is
less interesting as a result. Is anyone at the helm?

Dears, you need all the new blood you can muster. Your class is dying. 




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