Dragon Boat West

Does anyone know if the race grid is out for this festival yet? Their site said they would post the schedule a week prior to the festival, but I haven't seen anything yet  :P

No, it's not out yet, I'm sure it won't be long.

A lot of the island teams raced at Gorge Fest on Saturday so it's worthwhile for the rankers to incorporate those results.

oh i see :)

sounds good, thanks!

http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/VictoriaSaturdaySchedule-v2.pdf (http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/VictoriaSaturdaySchedule-v2.pdf)

Race grid is up . Looks like some of the same mistakes as last year for seeding . Hope they give it a another look...I see alot of issues already!
 For example Phat Phish and Hot Sake should be seeded in this festival looking at the quality of teams ,
there are a few teams seeded that could not come close to beating either of these teams.

The seeding looks pretty good to me. I'm curious which teams you feel should not be seeded?

No offence to these teams but Hampton Woods  and Westshore warriors would normally not have a shot at these teams .Vo2 Max has also not been seeded and would usually beat these teams with ease.

There is also Habu Sake (seeded) above Hot Sake (not seeded)not usually even close between these two teams .

Hampton Woods is a bit of an unknown but I'll give you the Westshore Warriors and the two Sake teams. Looks like they may have gotten them mixed up. Maybe you should drop the Victoria organizers an email. I'm sure they'll be open to your suggestions.

Hampton Woods has been around for years (not really an unknown) typically finish midway through the pack . Basically 
seed VO2 max , Phat Phish and Hot Sake over Hampton Woods ,Westshore Warriors and Habu Sake problem solved the rest will work itself out( not causing any major upsets ) You then will not have two teams racing each other similar in paddling ability knocking each other out in the first two rounds thereby  having lower division paddlers bumped up to a higher division and higher division paddlers bumped to a lower division  (lifescan and dragonauts knocked down come to mind for last year plus a few others that got bumped up  to a higher division and had to race out of their league not fun for anyone )We realize seeding can not be perfect and no one expects it to be there will always be a few upsets (team stacking etc) thats what keeps it interesting!!Just want it to be as fair as we can,I am just  hoping organizors see this and have another look .

Looks like Habu Sake and Hot Sake have been switched...

http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/VictoriaSchedule-v3.pdf
 (http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/VictoriaSchedule-v3.pdf)

Yes noticed that... nice move ! Fingers crossed there will be a few more changes and we should have some awesome racing !!!

If you are wondering why seeding Westshore and Hampton and not seeding Phat Phish and V02 will have an effect on outcome think ahead to the second round Extreme will then face Phat Phish in the second heat if Phat Phish have their real team that could be a tight race if Extreme take it then Phat Phish will get two second place finishes dropping them to a much lower division then where they belong or if they take Extreme then they both will then get dropped to a much lower division based on pts (there will be a large number of teams with two firsts) The Westsore  and Hampton wood heats are much weaker heats so potentially having two much slower heats getting two firsts bumping them to a much higher division .This also could apply to V02 Max who will race RGL in their second race . Either way Hampton Woods and Westshore (usually)could not place above these 3 teams head to head (Phat Phish ,V02 and Extreme)

doo da doo..

Prediction time:

1. Gorging

Be careful not to fully discount the whole Hampton Woods heat just based on the centre lane though!

Fifth Moon got bumped down to jade in Nanaimo after facing Xtreme and the GDs and were within a second of Phat Phish's final time.  In the semis we were about 5 sec faster.  Race 1 we were about a second behind them, likewise for Race 2.  Water conditions and race times are highly variable but we're not as weak as you may think!  :)

We also have Crusaders in there who despite being div C at Harrison had a comparable time to the div A consolation heat so who knows!

I'm not saying we'd beat phat phish, they're an excellent team and I wish them the best this weekend but be careful not to just judge heats based on the centre lane or things may move to create other ripples!  :)

I agree though there are some tough heats but it may be more than centre lane teams alone that need moving or else the high level rec crowd also gets the shaft!

I would be referring to Phat Phish at Alcan etc they did not have their real team at Nanaimo missing a large number of their paddlers (OC Races) and may not again who knows it will be the weaker heats in general that will shake things up a bit .When looking at these teams I would always be looking at all the races and heats etc for the past 2 years or so to get a feel for how the team really performs.

So by that token there could also be conflicts with the Canadian Iron Championships for OC for some crews, especially with Victoria being an out of town festival for a lot. 

Point is, I totally agree with you that they're a strong crew.  My point is just that you need to be careful not to just focus on the centre lane without looking at the wider picture for the other crews too.

Totally agree on how much work should go into seeding.  When I have seeded in the past, that's exactly what I would do. 

Since I am racing this weekend and hope to get into Platinum reading this thread made me look a bit closer at this. 

First off, I would not compare times between races, especially on tidal water, too many variables in my view.

I think we should all be out there paddling that is where you can show what you are made of not sitting behind a computer looking at stats.  If stats were always true then the Canucks would have a cup in their office.

Looking at the race grid, Tao are ranked as the 2nd best team in their heat which is probably correct.  It looks like two second places for Tao would put them into diamond which is probably where they should be (they were 6th in Rec A at Alcan and did not do so well at Nanamio). 

I looked at results for Victoria going back for 3 years and I am not sure what you are getting at, Westshore has been Platinum for two years and Diamond the year before.  They seem to be ranked about where they should be (if they are like other years).

Hampton Woods has always been pretty good but being a traveling team they may or may not but we won't know until Saturday afternoon. 

My friend who is on VO2Max indicates they are Jade division at best. I think they may surprise a bit but even they say they are not that good.

We will have to see who has picked up whom.  I know the team I am racing on has picked up a couple of paddlers and that may bump us up but the organizers don't know that unless they have spies on every boat  :shock:.

Predictions:

1. GD
2. RGL or Navy
3. Navy or RGL

You are a 100 % correct they will come second in their race .Westshore Warriors did finish as you say they were one of the teams that got bumped up , if you were at that particular festival then you would realize what issues we are referring to . Looks like to me Victoria Dragon Boat Festival has made a huge effort to correct some of the issues
and I do believe they are doing a awesome job this is normally one of the better festivals out there and they were in danger of losing a lot of teams based on last year alone.
There is nothing more exciting to see then tight racing in the finals in every division.

I see from the race grid that they have again failed to schedule in the Coho.  It arrives at 10:10 and leaves at 10:30 and arrives again at 3:00.  From my experience the Coho has been a major cause of the delays.  When will they learn ??

The Coho doesn't always leave on time.

Last time I was on it (couple weekends ago) it left about 20min late.

Would be impossible to schedule in that respect.  Harbour ferry ballet is a different story but hopefully this year we won't get the extended remix and paddlers can stay under shade when it's going on!

Here are my predictions.

1) Gorging dragons
2) Portland Fire
3) Dragonhearts Ultimate

Okay teams...go prove me right.

I agree with the other person that the Coho schedule is variable (based on every year I am there).  For the years that I have attended the festival they try to run ahead of schedule to add the cushion for the Coho. This year it does look like they put extra time into the schedule. They gave extra time around 10AM (20 minutes instead of 12 minutes) and then again around 10:30AM.  Looks like the same thing in the afternoon, around 2:30PM and again around 3:00PM. 

Last year is no indication of what it would have been since racing started late.  I hope this year they run on time and we will see if the extra 8 minutes is worth it or they need more.

I will extend my predictions to say who will be in the final race:

1. GD
2. RGL or Navy
3. Navy or RGL
4. Portland Firedragons or DH Ultimate
5. DH Ultimate or Portland Firedragons

The only for sure is GD the rest will be close.

I dont know Tiger, Portland and GDs were VERY close in Nanaimo. The Goblins love the GDs and support them all the way but it will not be an easy win if they pull it off. They are really going to need to fight for it.

Rumor has it that one of the Vancouver teams picked up a few (5+) FCRCC paddlers.  Just a rumor though  :wink:

Rumour also has it that another team has picked up some U-23 paddlers while yet another has picked up a few more Kai paddlers. Everyone had better bring their A games this weekend!

This is definitely shaping up to be the strongest, most competitive field Victoria has seen for quite some time!!

Riptide has strong connections

I would just like to clarify when I said that the two heats were weaker I am referring to the seeding there is not a clear distiction in both those heats who will come 1st or 2nd in pretty much every other heat there will be a 5-10 second space beteen 1st and 2nd place.The weaker heats could upset the balance since the 1st of one heat will race the 2nd of the other heat potentially having a much lower ranked team with two 1sts then knocking out the higher ranked team in other heats that will have to take a 1st and a 2nd based on this set up. As for the rumor of the pick-ups probally the same team that picked up the 5 FCRCC paddlers at Harrison.Since they are a seeded team won't upset things to much.

I think the grid looks well made up. 

Here's my predictions:

1  Gorging Dragons
2  Portland Firedragons
3  Navy Dragon Anchors
4  Riptide
5  RGL

6  Dragon Hearts Ultimate
7  Xtreme Reach
8  Blu by U
9  Westshore Warriors
10 Hampton Woods

11 CDBC Crew Yahoo
12 Save on Foods Dragon Slayers
13 Dragon Hearts Beat
14 Phat Phish
15 TCC Dragoneers

My sources say Riptide also picked up some strong paddlers from Lifescan.  :)

Riptide should do well....but dragonboating is all about how well a team can work together (consistancy and timing)  If Riptide can gel quickly , they may take the third spot...just maybe......

My modified predictions (my crystal ball only goes as far as the top 5)

1) Gorging Dragons
2) Portland Fire
3 or 4) DH Ultimate
4 or 3) Riptide (I'm going to give a very slight edge to DH Ultimate to beat out Riptide)
5) RGL 

Wow more teams loading up for Victoria! Makes predictions pretty tough when you're not sure who is bringing who.  :?

The GD's will be the home crowd favourite and they looked pretty good last night (as they went flying by us!! lol) but they will definitely be in tough. Nanaimo was very close and if Portland adds a couple more Kai paddlers it could make the difference. This years platinum final could be a great one!

Its nice to see so many strong teams coming to the island. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a resurgance of competition in Victoria!

Wow a little surprised at some of the predictions. :o

Good luck & good racing to all the teams!

And to the out of towners, thank you so much, we are so glad that you have chosen to come & you'all make our festival so much better & we so welcome you, & the competition.

Here's to hoping for some awesome, exciting, tight, tight  finals..

Anyone know when the Sunday grid will be out?

It was up at the race site when I left around 5:30ish.

Looks like it's now up on the website

http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/Victoria2011-SundaySchedule.pdf (http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/assets/RACE~INFOMATION/Victoria2011-SundaySchedule.pdf)

Good luck!  :)

I think that little team from Calgary (Crew Yahoo) might mess your predictions up!  :)

Looks like you were right. You guys are the fastest 3rd in the semi meaning Navy won't be in the top final. Congrats!

Crew Yahoo = little team with BIG hearts!  ;)

Almost the same situation the last time we raced in Victoria two years ago though that time Navy made the finals.  No Gorging that year.

Great weekend of paddling. Weather held up although a bit windy and cool on Sunday. Races were on time or early all weekend long (last race went off with in 5-10 mins of schedule) Only complaint I see was that it took a bit long to get Sundays schedule online. Apparently it was available at the site around 5:30 but not online until around 9pm.

Other than that a well run festival!!

Just so everyone can check their predictions here are the Platinum final results:

1          Gorging Dragons 2:04.00
2          Portland Firedragons 2:07.64       
3          Dragon Hearts Ultimate 2:08.25       
4          RGL United 2:08.88
5          CDBC Crew Yahoo 2:12.67

Breast Cancer Survivor Challenge #1
1 Island BreastStrokers    2:46.43
2 Wasabi SOAR               2:57.75
3 Abreast in the Rockies  3:02.39

Breast Cancer Survivor Challenge #2
 
1 Island BreastStrokers       2:51.15
2 Bust N' Loose                   2:56.54
3 Pink Phoenix                    2:57.47

Women
Diamond Consolation

1 Island Breaststrokers             2:51.56
2 Bust N Loose                         2:58.28
3 Pink Phoenix                         3:00.11
4 VCKC Blue Herons               3:11.51

Women
Diamond Championship

1 FCRCC Grand&Nothin Dragons               2:49.32
2 Gorge-Us-Gals                                         2:50.08
3 Abreast in the Rockies                              2:51.11
4 Wasabi SOAR                                           2:51.39
5 Northbreast Passage Dragon Boat Team  2:51.84



 

Women
Platinum Consolation

1 Eh Team Ladies                      2:41.88
2 Snappin' Dragons                    2:42.28
3 Mighty Women Paddling Club  2:47.71
4 Team Momentum                     2:52.04

Women
Platinum Championship
1 Amazon Dragons                  2:31.35
2 Pink *****cats                     2:33.11
3 Saggin' Dragons                   2:34.67
4 Fort Langley SunDragons     2:37.11
5 Team River Spirit                  2:45.28
 

Mixed
Pearl Consolation  

1 VCKC Genesis                    2:40.64
2 GRPC ColdStar Warriors    2:43.29
3 MS Warriors                        2:44.28
4 Gift of Life                            2:45.43



Mixed
Pearl Championship

1 GRPC Amazing Greys        2:32.47
2 Chateau Bateau                  2:39.92
3 VCKC Komodo Dragons     2:40.72
4 Snogard Dragons                2:44.29


Mixed
Bronze Consolation            

1 Shibumi                             2:26.35
2 Fairway Dragon Express   2:35.60
3 Blazing Paddles - Victoria 2:39.60
4 Dogwood Nothin' Dragon  2:40.11

Mixed
Bronze Championship

1 Castaways                            2:24.23
2 VCKC Lightning                    2:28.83
3 Thunderstrokers                   2:30.49
4 Dragon Hearts Attack           2:37.24

 
Mixed
Silver Consolation

1 FCRCC Grandragons                      2:30.98
2 Habu Sake                                       2:34.71
3 Tide & Paddled                                2:35.29
4 Ready JET Go                                 2:38 41

Mixed
Silver Championship

1  Alameda Dragonflyers              2:27.68
2  Hampton Woods Paddling Club   2:29.71
3  Selkirk Serpents                      2:30.02
4  Stumptown Paddlers                 2:30.28

Mixed
Gold Consolation

1 TELUS Horse Power             2:22.87
2 Eh Team                               2:27.50
3 Mavericks                             2:28.80
4 West Shore Warriors            2:31.92

Mixed
Gold Championship

1 VCKC Grand Dragons 2:22.79
2 Red Fusion                  2:25.14
3 Dog Paddlers               2:25.16
4 Aquaholics                    2:30.44


Mixed
Jade Consolation

1 Brew Crew                                  2:26.28
2 Crusaders Dragon Boat Team   2:27.16
3 Sudden Impact Blue Impact      2:28.12
4 TCC Dragoneers                       2:33.60

Mixed
Jade Championship
1 Dragon Hearts Beat           2:18.70
2 Tao Ti Phat Phish Racing  2:22.48
3 VO2 Max                            2:23.16
4 Pirates                                2:26.12


Mixed
Diamond Consolation
1 VYPC – Powered by Canada Dry           2:20.94
2 Team Storm                                            2:25.30
3 The Goblin Empire                                  2:25.35
4 Paddlers of the Fifth Moon                      2:29.43

Mixed
Diamond Championship
1 Blew ByU                                         2:15.08
2 Hot SAKE                                         2:16.07
3 Xtreme Reach                                  2:16.85
4 Sync or Swim                                   2:17.55
5 Wasabi Grand Masters Mixed          2:44.16

Mixed
Platinum Consolation

1 Navy Dragon Anchors                      2:12.64
2 Riptide                                          2:13.67
3 BLU BY U                                       2:23.55
4 Save on Foods Dragon Slayers           2:27.39


Mixed
Platinum Championship
 
1 Gorging Dragons               2:04.00
2 Portland Firedragons         2:07.64
3 Dragon Hearts Ultimate      2:08.25
4 RGL United                         2:08.88
5 CDBC Crew Yahoo              2:12.67
 

The 2011 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival race results are now available online.

http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/EN/main/race_information/race-schedule-results.html (http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/EN/main/race_information/race-schedule-results.html)

Victoria 2011
Jade A final
http://www.youtube.com/user/piratepaddler?feature=mhee#p/u/4/ub78c2S1fhE (http://www.youtube.com/user/piratepaddler?feature=mhee#p/u/4/ub78c2S1fhE)