btw Zephyrantes....
I don't know where you get on off on name calling or personal attacks....but I think one can have an intelligent debate and discussion without resorting to such juvenile tactics. If you feel my comments are offside or worth a rebuttal, you can do it in a civilized manner without the personal attacks. You can learn a thing or two from Righarm on this point.
that was nothing. you should read some of the PMs he sent me 3yrs ago before we became friends.
in all seriousness though, there was little juvinille about his post (and i tell him up front when i think he's being an ass or a bit over the top). i dont' know why you are shocked at a "personal attack", seeing as he was merely commenting on the starter of the thread, YOU.
as for FODB's 'ranking' this year compared to previously, my opinion varies strongly from yours, with an inside perspective. i think technically, this year, we were on level ground with before (especially given all the technique changes that the team went through since last year), but there was something missing on another level. not going to get into it here because frankly its of no one else's business, but there you have it.
this year was a very different year for most teams out on the water. there have been TONS of changes to most rosters. i think it was a matter of who adapted to those changes best and whole made the most of them that were able to pull through where they did. i think all teams put forward a solid effort, whether it was a complete rebuilding year, or a stepping stone year.
mmmm tasty.
Fodb has a new crew, just like It's 2003 again. Really this is old news, all teams tend to change faces after 3-4 years.
Although the mix this time is definately different. Before it was all 100% fresh meat. This time around we've got a few grizzled old veterans, a smattering of 'up and coming' rec level paddlers', and more fresh meat. You'd think it'd be an advantage, but it can be tough to get everyone on the same page, same direction.
Fresh has always had ok results, but one thing we talked about this year was, "hey, ok so we had pretty good results the last few years, but we're a new mix now. We're not entitled to the same results and speed, we have to earn our way back up."
I don't know if this gets talked about much, but I wonder if people realize the real trick is getting the most speed you can out of your team, while they're around? A particular mix isn't going to be around forever. I am talking here about rec teams that don't do the A/B format, tryouts, timetrial cuts etc though.
So Dr. Evil, you're right in your thoughts, although the delivery could have used some massaging, but it's nothing you have to apologize for. But there's always more to it than simple results, there's always another race.
Tho don't be surprised by Zephy's initial reaction. He's a guy who loves his team, and everyone knows you can't get enough people like that.
