Sounds greedy on PWA part, they seem to wanna be the only real big pro event in the scene. I think other events just as credible as pwa are needed to expand windsurfing and make it more popular.

Like the tour de france in cycling. It's not world champs but its a bigger event. :)

but the LOC is an event of very high standards...

Sorry to be the devils advocate [}:)] but I noticed that on the PWA website, LOC was mentioned on the profiles of the sailors. www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=7&tx_pwasailor_pi1[showUid]=1062&cHash=09b0534620
So although LOC isn't part of the tour, it still has the recognition.

So does that mean sailors participating in the GPS Teams Challenge cannot compete in PWA events? Bummer

There was a clash between the Defi event and the PWA Korea Slalom. Maybe the PWA was nervous a few of the big names (especially the French ones) may stay home to do the Defi instead.... I'm sure a few were tempted.

Bender said...

Mobydisc said...

So does that mean sailors participating in the GPS Teams Challenge cannot compete in PWA events? Bummer

No that means PWA sailors cannot compete in the GTC That will sort out that really quick NP/JP mob

So the Dutch JP/NP Mob are PWA, competing, professional sailors? Do other professional sporting bodies have similar rules? If you are a professional ten pin bowler or bass fisherperson, you are not allowed to compete at your local ally or river?

Such a ruling could possibly be illegal in Australia under the trade practices act.

I think part of the problem for the PWA is the wave classic series. I think the email was sent when the first event this year was about to start. I think from the PWA's prospective they are worried that these events run on a very very small budget with no prize money(??) and they get a fair bit of coverage still on the net and in magazines. They go to locations the PWA can only dream of, because they are going with no budget. So why would some one want to pay to sponsor a PWA event if another event attracts the same names and runs without a major sponsor. The PWA works for the riders, and the riders are basically saying via their union leader we want to be paid at least some prize money at an event, so only go to PWA sanctioned events. The trouble is, there are so few PWA events, and the prize money is dwindling, some riders feel that they should be going to other events as well. Catch 22 for the PWA as a whole. If they start to incorporate other competitions that have been run on a much smaller budget, they risk losing their major sponsors for their bigger comps. So they try to introduce a grand slam type ranking to their events. Much like how the ASP runs with WT events, 6* prime etc... But that model doesn't seem to be working either for the PWA if these other events are turning up. Its a tough situation for the PWA. The PWA are trying to keep some credibility to their tour, and ensure some prize money. I can see both sides of the story. Ideally they would some how incorporate other events. But prize money is getting so small at some events, it barely covers air fares for the majority. So having PWA events where riders basically can't afford to go to is also another tough decision.