Future World Championships locations

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 1:11 pm

What actually happened is: i confirmed that Wes' comment looked also quite as valid from a different point of view, and you tell me "- it is forbidden to view from your point, since you are a bad person."

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:19 pm

Andy, french dislike euphemisms, on the other end, US people tend to overinterpret things while they have to always translate PC language, then we get to complete misunderstandings. i can be terribly critical toward the french people, not to talk of french governants (we are actually in a disastrous situation here).
i DO NOT hate US people, nor french, nor any other nation. i am afraid this apparently paranoïd reaction of yours is really an out of place attempt to sensor a VERY BENIGN comment, that a very liberal republican economist would probably agree to.

We are not however very far of the discussion Jack, Ramon, Jani and i had a few posts before: The problem with welcoming young adults in our sport (not children that is), is you have to take them with their ideas, leave them a part of position that was yours previously, accept that they are going to reshape your sport and, and eventually as you get along, they might even change you !

Andy Bittner · Post by **Andy Bittner** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:44 am

Etienne, That doesn't seem to be what Wes is saying at all. This site is about slalom, and this topic about places to bring the (slalom) people of the world together. Please keep your hateful, divisive, political, anti-U.S. sentiments to yourself. You've long since made it clear you don't like the U.S. We've heard you. Now grow up and stop jumping on everything that even vaguely seems an opportunity to bash the U.S. It's really, really tired at this point, it doesn't contribute anything positive to the situation and it just makes you look like an idiot when you agree with something that somebody didn't even say. (Notice: no insult or slight to the nation of France was made in this post)

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 10:05 am

i'm afraid Wes is right, John: your description of "living like kings" is actually the present economic strategy of your government.

Hans Koraeus · Post by **Hans Koraeus** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:54 am

Gilmour wrote:I'm very excited to go to Klang's event in Germany...

John, the European Championships are in Stockholm, Sweden. And it's not as expensive as it used to be 10-15 years ago. What is it that they say... A Big Mac is a good comparison. I'll check out the nearest McDonald for the Swedish price.

Code: Select all

[b][u]BIG MAC prices in the world[/u][/b]
Sweden     : EUR x   USD x   (local currency SEK x)
USA        :
France     :
Switzerland:
Germany    :
England    :
Russia     :

Mail me you local BIG MAC prices and I'll make a table. It could be interesting...

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:55 pm

Would someone care to inform Mr. Gilmour that the softest currency right now happens to be . . . the AMERICAN DOLLAR?

So, the World's in California is ideal in JG's scenario.

John Gilmour · Post by **John Gilmour** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:09 pm

Seeing as a good portion of the prize money still comes from entry fees.....

I'd like to see a world championships that nearly anyone could afford.

So looking at some of the ways the ISSA saved money in the past.... As I recall the copies of SLALOM! magazine used to be printed in the Former Eastern Block countries as the cost of printing was much cheaper- they were mailed out using postage from that country as well. Cost for this was likely pennies compared to dollars per issue.

So here is my very unusual proposal.

Why not have a World Championship in a country with a "Soft " Currency?

I say this for a few reasons.

Lets say we had a World Championship in Eastern Europe....say The Czech Republic.
Last time there was one there...it was a big deal.

Hotel rooms would be inexpensive in a country with a soft currency- you could live like kings.

Slalom would likely seem newer and more exciting to the crowds.

IF the entry fee was paid to the organizers in HARD currency- they could purchase Airline tickets for the athletes In SOFT currency making air travel cheaper. Also hotels and food would be inexpensive. Many more skaters could afford to go to a race if say the entire package cost say only (just a wild guess for a package deal) $390 USA (AIRFARE, FOOD , ENTRY FEE, AIRPORT TRANSFERS etc.)

AS entry fees make up much of the prize money....to the local crowds..the purse would appear to be larger. Also it is possible that some of the local domestic companies might want to sponsor an event...and also say....an American Distributor of say PEPSI or COKE might be interested in our event (Happened in Russia before).

Even South America might be a possibility.... Mark McCree told me Gasoline costs only 15 cents a gallon in Venesula. I could afford to pay for the diesel for the bus that picks up the athletes at the airport.

Could you imagine slaloming in CUBA?

I'm very excited to go to Klang's event in Germany... though I'm sure I'll be just as shocked at prices as Canadians were to USA prices 2 years ago.

PLEASE don't "discount" this as an irrational thought....let it mill around in your head for a bit. It may start to make sense.

Karl Floitgraf · Post by **Karl Floitgraf** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:51 pm

I set up http://slalomspot.com in order to be a resource for young and new skaters. Right now I am working on a totally new version that will have a large collection of articles on everything from pumping to equipment and course setting. I am looking for some support from people sending in articles Karl@slalomspot.com, and I'm gonna have some free banner space available for anyone who helps out at all. I'm just doing this to encourage new skaters.

Sorry for the shameless promotion I do think it's on topic.

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 9:37 pm

if you keep training as hard as you do... Even on an easy spot you still have to beat opponents.

alavoine jean paul · Post by **alavoine jean paul** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:05 pm

Etienne de Bary wrote:Next step might be: setting up easy races, on easy spots with easy starting ramps.

Then we'll be able to go through the courses backwards. Easy,easy...

E-goes... skating...

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:03 pm

slalomers' paradise too...

However acceleration in a ramp results of a multiplication of the weight, and friction is about constant, which means if a 80kg person take a speed resulting of a X cynetic value minus a Y value of friction, a 40kg person will take half of X, still minus about Y of friction.
For instance lets give arbitrary hypothetic values : if the 80kg big guy would have taken a speed of 60km/h in the middle of the ramp, but, because of the air resistance and the imperfection of bearings and wheels, he only goes 50km/h; in the same situation the 40kg kid will take [60/2=]30 minus 10 (or quite) = only 20km/h...
i have really no idea how realistic the figures are, but it gives a notion.

Ramón Königshausen · Post by **Ramón Königshausen** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:29 pm

Hehe, easy starting ramps!

I'll tell you: Yesterday was the "Sport Total" event in Zurich where about 750 kids were.
First we had to give a little performance to show for what you are able to to on a slalomskateboard. After the kids could try themselves on a board. We got our starting ramp there. Some 9 year old kiddies got down the ramps without any problem!!! I was surprised.

rmn

Jani Soderhall · Post by **Jani Soderhall** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:30 am

Etienne de Bary wrote:Next step might be: setting up easy races, on easy spots with easy starting ramps.

...and often (at least regular).

I really believe this is a good way to get a local scene started, but it takes a lot of time and energy.

/Jani

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 6:50 am

Switzerland is longskaters' paradise.
it's like Nederlands for bicycle.

Ramón Königshausen · Post by **Ramón Königshausen** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:24 am

Ehm...I bought me a slalomskateboard when I was 12 and used it to get to primary school.
Gradually I started skating in my free-time. We (Manuel and me) were just in to freeriding - we didn't know about events/competitions. One day there was a "boardercross" in our neighbour town where we decided to participate. So we got into the "racing-scene"
But I've never skated street or park.

Here in Switzerland there are many of "hobby-slalomskaters" who just use their board to get from A to B.

I guess that Jadranko has already explained the (whole) backgorund....

rmn

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:40 pm

Those are good posts from Etienne and J-Rad. It seems to me that it's a whole different mentality in Europe...perhaps without as much media saturation as here in the states, which is unfortuante (for us in America)....these are young skaters who were open minded enough to try a kind of riding other than street and really work at their game.
I met Jadranko in West Virginny and he's a very good skater...not just fast, but he has style too.
I keep reading "how do we grow the sport?" (primarily from the US)...well, there's good skaters out there, but we wont reach them until they see outside of their little boxes and notice there's other forms of skating that are fast and fun. The younger street and park skaters that have taken up slalom do pretty damn good...and they pick it up fast if they WANT to.

Yep, this ties in to Jacks comments.....that it'd be nice to see a young skater come to the championships and knock the old dudes off the throne.....most of us would agree with that.

JRad....see ya in Georgia.....it's gonna be a great race

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:51 pm

Next step might be: setting up easy races, on easy spots with easy starting ramps.

Jack Smith · Post by **Jack Smith** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:33 pm

I accept full responsibilty!

Great responses, keep them coming!

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:35 am

Jadranko Radovanovic wrote:Sorry for the long text... and the post on the wrong place...

it's Jack's fault

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:04 am

As i was a beginner myself, 8) i always insisted that we do the thursday sessions on EASY spots.

i'm always hooking passerbies, those who look happy at seeing us: "- want to try ?", and i suppose i'm not too bad at showing how to push for the first time. Even old people, they say "- Oh no, really, i would hurt myself, i couldn't" but everybody's happy. i invite friends on the sessions.

But the main part is longskaters we drag from the Riderz.net forum, that's good ones, they already know how to ride, all they need to learn is pumping. So lesson N°1 would be not to cut the links with the downhill nation. infiltrate their events is also a good idea, each time we put down cones on a DH event we sell a few decks in the neighborhood in the following monthes, of course we bring much more decks than we need.

Cops, i actually don't remember ever having problems with them [we had them bothering about yhe way our cars were parked on the spot sometimes]. DownHill riders do: if the cop thinks you're about to kill yourself he has to do something...
...Our cops are not your cops...

However a winning tactic is to set up on spots where rollerskaters are already accepted. Which is also good for other reasons: that's generally nice places to meet people and convert them, if it's flat and a narrow set-up, it'll do much better... And it replaces the image of the sport closer to other "normal" practices.

Fear: i have this point of view that fear is useful, when fear tells you you should not do one thing, it's probably right. i say it, and so people feel welcome to tell when they are afraid.
it's like in ski and snowboard: everybody ends up on tracks much too difficult for them, where they develop bad habits and eventually hurt themselves. We're here to have fun in a friendly, respectful and open minded way, not boost our egoes.

look at this :
http://www.debary.nom.fr/book/movies/Ro ... nd.hiQ.mov
Riders you see on this movie : Lau: 3 years ago, he had a skate to go to the baker shop, Allan: 3 Years ago was in hi-school and trying to do the ollie a bit, Fred: would ride only bicycles (but his brother was a skater)

Chris Eggers · Post by **Chris Eggers** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:53 am

I have to add:

Jodli (Jadranko) is pretty good at something he did not want to do at first. He has become fast. Fear him.

AND: Many many thanks for 3 years of great times in Grueningen. I hope to make it to the 20th anniversary of this race! Thank you guys, you deserve big respect for the things you have done, thank you. See you in June.

Chris

Jadranko Radovanovic · Post by **Jadranko Radovanovic** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:43 am

Hi Christopher,

i started skating last year in Paris, that was my first race. I only try a few times on chris hart's board. We started organising the Grueningen race in the year 2000 for the first time.

I will try to explain the whole situation. (If you don't understand my english i will write it in German and translate it trough my sister in English)

In switzerland every village has an house who opens two or three times a week for the youth people. And there are an man/woman who work there with the teenegers. Our youth worker start in 2000 an projekt with building slalomboards (i wasn't there because of no interest in slalom). After this projekt there was another projekt to organise a slalom race. In this time this wasn't normal that the youth workers makes projekts with the kids because the monay for the house and all things came from the goverment. After the contest our youth worker was fired no one knows why, but he wasn't in Grueningen anymore. In 2001 we start to organise our second competition and so on, we had many problems with the goverment, because they means we are to young to take responsibility for this and must search a person who are 18 to take the responsibility.

Now they have the problem that the offer from the goverment with the youth house is not enough for the teenegers. Only small groups of teenegers most of them are foreigner take this houses for them. They hang around and do nothing. The other teenegers shun the youth house because there are every time more and more conflicts. The City of Uster (a bigger City 30'000 population) started last year with a new offer. The goverment spend every year 30'000 swiss francs for projects (cultural events) with youth people. The teenegers do all the things allone, make meetings, search for sponsors, and so on. The youth worker is only a coach for them and only if the teenegers have question or when he see that they make somthing wrong. The target of this projects is to integrate the teenegers in the community. No one say what project they must do and how they should do this. The teenegers are 100% free of they decision. I think there is an good artikel write from the unicef in the year 2002.

There are now two things what we do.

1. We make a training for the kids/teenegers here in Grueningen. One time a week we meet us at our race side in grueningen for 2 hours. The kids/teenegers are free if they want come, when they want or not. It's normal that you must motivate them. We have now arround 10 kids/teenegers who skate every day in our small skatepark in Grueningen and they told us that they will try to skate slalom with us.

2. Our second project will be to contact to the youth worker of uster and ask him for a Slalom Skateboard projekt, with building boards and organising an event. The swiss kids/teenegers like sports who aren't mainstream like soccer or hockey.

The unicef say: The kids/teenegers have the rights to inform them, to say what they want and how they want this. Switzerland has sign this convention with the Unicef in 1997 but who they give this rights to the kids/teenegers is inadequately. There are some old politician in the goverment mostly from the right side who not give a damn about the convention. In the convention isn't fix what the geverment have to do, but it's clear that nothing goes without money. I think the solution of the City of Uster is ok. There are 30'000 for the kids/teenegers and the youth house. So they can reach the most of the kids/teenegers. At the same time that is a prevention against alcohol and drugs like mariuhana that the most kids here in switzerland consume.

Here in Grueningen the goverment are all right no one is interested what we have done about the last 6 years with our competition. They never spend some money nothing. Some people told us that we are crazy and other things... They hassle us with the start and end times of the competition. We had discussion with them and the only thing what i told them is: If we don't get the permissions i will go one instance higher to complain about the shit what they do. But there are more and more people who assist us. In the next year 4 of the 7 people from the goverment will left the goverment this is our chance to vote the right person in the goverment and that is what we will do....

Sorry for the long text... and the post on the wrong place...

/J-Rad

PS: i started skating because chris hart told me every time do it, do it, do it, do it. And i want that he quit with the shit and i done it. And it makes fun !!!
see you in Athens

Donald Campbell · Post by **Donald Campbell** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:45 pm

hey ramon....so you are one of those "smokers",eh?

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:27 pm

So you suggest more grass-roots Jack?...there's no doubt that younger skaters who may just be getting into the sport will be intimidated by large events...hell, i am and i'm 40....but still, being relatively new to the sport, it's still a bit intimidating

I thought the Chicago guys did a great job last year. Favero, Sidlo and Cnova had a simple grass roots race, in the park downtown which was easy for the locals to get to...they put up flyers at the local skateparks and on the local website.
About a dozen "non-slalom" skaters showed up...some older, some kids, and they all had a good time....maybe not enough to get them into the sport, but i'm guessing if they do the same this year, the same kids will come back, and this time bring some of their friends.

The atmosphere was good. If the kids only had a street board, we loaned them our boards. The locals sat for a while if they were walking by and watched...even the cops came by and watched for a while. Everybody was civil and they never asked for it to shut down.

I know you've done similar things out west....that's what the scene needs....problem would be that most centrally located areas, like Grant Park in Chicago, would shut down an event like that in an hour. There's no way Detroit cops would let it fly.

But youre right, bring the events to the people, keep it small enough to be welcoming, keep a good vibe amongst the regular slalomers and it will reach new riders

I think park slalom, at least in the states, would have to be the best way to reach allot of skaters all at once...but that's a different game entirely....it's a blast...but it's a whole different game than downhill, or even flat, slalom

Hey Ramon....you're the next gen...Jadranko's young and fast too...what is it that got you guys into slalom?....did you do park or street first?.....what got you interested in cones?

Ramón Königshausen · Post by **Ramón Königshausen** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:25 pm

I'm 17....

rmn

Jack Smith · Post by **Jack Smith** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:56 pm

"What you will show this year in Morro Bay will be "old guy's on skateboard". Sorry for my words, but it's true."

Jadranko, you may be correct. I would love to see some 19 year old kid come out of nowhere and smoke everyone.

I've said it before, we need to stage events for beginners/kids. Most of the races today are geared towards "old guys".

alavoine jean paul · Post by **alavoine jean paul** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:42 pm

Etienne de Bary wrote: .
At the Trocadero people somewhat admire the skill but they keep away from us as they always more or less think we are kind of evil fated nuts.
.

WICKED!!!

A 340 rat...

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:47 pm

Hans Koraeus wrote: . . . in the far future someone will make the judgement of what was the spark that made slalom skateboard racing one of the biggest sports in the world.

Oh, there's no doubt about that: it's the exponential growth of MY international fan base.

Hans Koraeus · Post by **Hans Koraeus** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:35 pm

The skate scene is just like life itself. You can do a lot of things and nothing seems to change. But then suddenly without you knowing about it you do a minor thing that will be the start of a big fire. These small things you tend not notice until they burn your behind.

So what I'm saying is that we never know what things will make a big change. We can just keep on trying doing things, big and small, and in the far future someone will make the judgement of what was the spark that made slalom skateboard racing one of the biggest sports in the world.

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:58 pm

Just wanted to point that this idea that skateboarding is just a dangerous way to waste time is so heavily dominant that even hi skilled mature skaters, people who ride and enjoy riding for decades, will assume it when it comes to their own family. There might be a cost to changing this, if one cares to.
A big slope is exciting, that's no news.

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:15 pm

I think when Jack was referring to "only the best" he was talking about the world/national/whatever championships...the championships should showcase the best racers available. There are many races throughout the year for anybody to enter and race, but to participate in a CHAMPIONSHIP race, you should be worthy of competing for the title.

Admittedly, i would not be good enough to race in a world championship...no problem....if i'm not fast enough, i dont belong there as a racer. Only the best should be on the course.
As an alternative, you can still have the best in B-class and A-class...it would still represent the sport well.....

But when it's opened up to anybody, the race, in and of itself, cannot be a championship. It can just be the last race of the season, with a heavy point scale

Of course, that's just my opinion

As is my opinion of Flat Slalom being a poor forum for a championship...it takes skill and practice, yes....and it's as much fun to watch as Badminton...

A 'sport without danger' is a 'game'.

by the way, my 6 year old son watches me ride in the street. He's seen me come home from the hill with road rash, scrapes and some big bruises, no problem...when he first started pushing around (with his gear on) i told him he'd fall too...probably get some bruises and bleed a bit.....but shake it off and try again...that's how you learn...it's skateboarding....

Jani Soderhall · Post by **Jani Soderhall** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:14 pm

Jadranko,

The good news is that we can have both/all!

- We can have a World Ranking that uses all events of the year.

and

- We can a World Cup series counting only those events in its own "ranking" called.

Ideally the World Championships should be something you qualify to enter, but that's only needed when there's too many competitors and a selection is needed. Unfortunately we're not there yet. Instead we have a system where anyone can enter anything. That means a lot for the individual skaters. I can go to the US, enter the Worlds and race anybody I like. That's pretty cool!

I think the ISSA should get a World Series together for next year. It should be a project of high priority. Howard Gordon wanted it already a few years ago. It's time to get started on it now for the 2006 season. I'll put together a first race organizers meeting in conjunction with the Paris event. The least we should be able to start at that time is a European Series. I'll come back with time and location.

/Jani

Jadranko Radovanovic · Post by **Jadranko Radovanovic** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:44 pm

Hans,

I like you idea to build first the puzzle pieces and than an international organisation like ISSA, but i think that wouldn't work in our Skate scene.

What we need is that the ISSA define the rules of competitions and build a World Cup Series. The only thing what the World Cup means at our races in Europe is, that there are 5 or more countries represent on a Event.

The idea that the spectators see only the best makes no sense. What we need is more people who riding and goes to the competitions.
What you will show this year in Morro Bay will be "old guy's on skateboard". Sorry for my words, but it's true.

We have enough good quality races in Europe and USA. Why we don't make an World Cup Series? Where you can get the same points at every race. Than you can take the best riders for the World Champs. I think the old system was good for the 70s/80s/90s, but now is the time to change it... The idea of Corky to have an geographical balance is good, but you can't have a balance when there are regions with a few Skateboarders and others with plenty of them.

You all know that is very difficult to organise skateboarders. Why we don't make it as easy as possible. World Cup's and World Championchips. The other races should not count for the World ranking. They can have national ranking. If there are more big races in Europe than in the USA then the Europeans have more races and more chance to be higher in the Ranking. The best 4 or 5 World Cup results can count for the Ranking. That will change when there are more riders in the USA than in Europe...

/J-Rad

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:26 am

Christopher Bara wrote:Racing should be dangerous

dangerous, ill reputed, unwelcomeful to beginners, hardly legal...

i have a friend, who is a passionate skater for years, who does not want his kid to own a skateboard.
That's the future we need ?

A really dangerous sport like horseriding, a regularly harmful practice like skiing, even those syringe competitive athletic sports like bicycle or running, are all commonly considered a high level human achievement.
While skateboarding is not even considered a sport.

Hans Koraeus · Post by **Hans Koraeus** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:29 am

Jack,
I liked that idea from the first time I saw it. Everybody can race but when we come to promoting and show the sport to the public we show only the best. I think that will give a better a more compact experience for a possible audience. Also more time and less stress. You can use the extra time to build up more of a show around it. In a couple of years we might see cheer-leaders parading down the course inbetween blocks of slalom racing. Let's build a circus!

Jack Smith · Post by **Jack Smith** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:34 pm

At the 2005 Worlds, spectators will see ony the finalists racing on Saturday and Sunday. Qualifying for TS and Slalom will be off site.

Jack Smith
Bocas del Toro, Panama

Ramón Königshausen · Post by **Ramón Königshausen** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:01 pm

Racing is competing with other competitors.

rmn

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:01 pm

Christopher Bara wrote:what makes a better spectator sport?.....track and field or NASCAR and Formula I?......

Well, that depends. Are you a marketing rep for Adidas and Nike or Goodyear and Fina?

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:55 pm

Flat....for a championship race?.......

Racing should be dangerous.......it gives it an edge.....

what makes a better spectator sport?.....track and field or NASCAR and Formula I?......

Etienne de Bary · Post by **Etienne de Bary** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:25 pm

Spectators are very impressed by flat pumping. During trainings and french-cyber sessions in Daumesnil spot at night a lot of the passerbies actually sit down to stare for a while. Obviously the visible pumping acceleration has something "supernatural" that forces admiration and friendly feelings.
it does in a very different ways than in the steep and fast slope of the Trocadero: in Trocadero people somewhat admire the skill but they keep away from us as they always more or less think we are kind of evil fated nuts. On the slickest tarmac of Daumesnil people come to encourage us and congratulate before leaving, we have lots of chats with old people, rollerskaters, joggers, even dog walking ladies (though that kind always make us nervous.)

A big slope is more exciting for hard boiled racers, but i'm not sure it does such a superior communication job for the sport.

Well if it has to be flat, a good pavement and a moderate ramp would be my wish

Hans Koraeus · Post by **Hans Koraeus** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:09 pm

I've had this "crazy" idea since a while back about finding a sponsor to invite, let's say, the 20 best pros from the World Ranking to an sunny island early December to battle it out. The Masters in slalom racing. I will aim to be invited as a skate caddie. I.e. carry the skateboards for the pros up the hill and polish their shoes before race.

I agree that the name World is not everything. You can build a respectable name without it but it takes time. When you put in countries in the name I think it becomes big but The Masters/Daytona 500/Indianapolis 500/24 hours Le Mans have built some reputation over the years. It doesn't take 2-3 years to come there. In Europe it may even be dangerous for the events building up reputation with World Cup in their name. What if we suddenly do start a World Cup and they don't get included...

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:55 pm

Dave's right....a world championship can be anywhere...but it should only be limited to people who are invited to race....even if there's an A and B bracket.....it should be people who've accomplished something over the course of the season

Dave Gale · Post by **Dave Gale** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:29 pm

Let's see...some HUGE competitions, that don't lay claim to "World". U.S Open/America's Cup/British Open/Tour De' France/The Masters/Daytona 500/Indianapolis 500/24 hours Lemans, on and on and on...You can be a champion, by prevailing in any of these .But not be the "World Champion" I think in order to be a "World Champion" the competition should have earned the right over an entire season and proven worthy of competing at such a race!

Hans Koraeus · Post by **Hans Koraeus** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:31 pm

I like "any time, any where" but they forgot "any way you like it".

But I guess that sence is included in the shorter version.

The problem with our World Championships right now (and for some time into the future) is that they are no true World Championships. The goal is to get it there for ourselves and hopefully before that for our sponsors and media. In a true World Championship only the best in the world should be allowed to attend. Then we can talk about increasing the challenge to a true World Champ limit. It won't look good if a big part of the field doesn't make the courses whether it's a World Championship or not. Especially during a World Championship maybe. People do think that the guys in a World Championship are the best in the world. For those who enter that are not, it can hit back on the sport. "Are these guys really the best in the world?". Same goes for all this "World Cup" naming in Europe. Sounds cool to sponsors, sure, but you better live up to it or the World Cup will become an empty word.

I think you should set challenging courses but challenging for the field you have. Already by having true Pro and Am classes running their own courses is a good way towards that. Pro's with a more challenging course than for the Am's.

David Baker · Post by **David Baker** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 6:41 am

I have to agree with Fluit (not just because hes a friend) it is the World Championships. In any sport the World Champoinships is always the most chalenging of any event during the year. That being said, I think there is a place for a flat event in the championships. I believe cyber slalom is a champion ship event. Its like the 100 meter dash. A power sprint. Not everyone finishes a run in the Olympics either... It should be hard.

Like the La Costa boys used to say..."Any time, any where", the true spirit of racing.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 4:42 pm

You want nice weather not neccesarily warm, right?

Eddy sounds like the Texas Sizzler was a blast. Congrats! Sorry I missed it. Next Season will be different for me.

Eddy Martinez · Post by **Eddy Martinez** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:57 pm

Claude how warm is Canada in September. Good excuse for visiting the in-laws. Eddy Texas Outlaws.

Donald Campbell · Post by **Donald Campbell** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:45 am

antibes for 2006 for sure

pierre has a very good crew and is organized plus he brings the experience with him.
very good proposal for a possible venue.

Claude Regnier · Post by **Claude Regnier** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:00 pm

One of the Future venues considered has to be Canada as well.

Europe & North America as well as Asia or any other place that competes.

Moving it around is best for everyone.

Jani Soderhall · Post by **Jani Soderhall** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:03 pm

The Antibes Garoupe Hill is ideal for all kinds of slalom, except cyber on flat (but that's not a World Championships event).

The current parking lot was fun last year (and probably will be suitable this year too), but The "race" feeling is better on a hill. I also think it's a bit too short and it's not so nice to stop, slide and do all to avoid the bushes.

But I don't think this is something we have to argue much. Pierre is perfectly capable of putting together the right mix of locations and disciplines, especially given that it'll be the third time around. The courses themselves should be set by racers and be adapted to the spot selected. So far most courses are set in advance and I agree that it's probably a good solution, but we should try to work out a way to have the selected riders arrive early and do their job just before the other skaters (they day before, or really in the morning).

Super G on the Antibes Downhill course would be pretty rad, especially if it's made really fast, it's just a pity that there will not be a single spectator, so I think I'll vote for Super G on the Garoupe hill just like last year. The hill is fast enough, it's just not as winding as the downhill course is.

I wonder if there is going to be other candidates for a World Championships in Europe?

/Jani

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