SWICA - Vote for the Master Race Categories you want to see in 2012
I just received from the race email list. SWICA is trying to nail down the best categories for next year. I know they received some flack this year with their changes, and they're trying to get input from everyone this time. So go vote now if you plan on racing!!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HQMCYR5
If you are a SWICA area master racer please rank your top 3 preferred master category breakdowns for 2012 and beyond
Unless one of the choices is a runaway winner. We will do a follow-up vote next week with the top 2 or 3 choices.
Voting will be open through Friday noon. This is not Chicago so don't be a wiener - only vote once.
Thanks Eric, Make your voice known.
If you have even an interst in racing this is pretty important. Make your voice known. It only takes a minute.
MY FIRST CHOICE
35+A (1/2/3), 35+B(3/4/5), 45+B{3/4/5), 55+(open)
MY SECOND CHOICE
35+A (1/2/3), 35+B(3/4), 45+(3/4), 55+(open
MY SECOND CHOICE
35+A & B (self-seeded), 55+(open)
Updated Master's Cat Info
OK, here's a copy of the latest email that includes any comments people added in with their votes... check it out... vote again... and sounds like the final vote will be early next week! This is your only chance to get your voice heard on these groupings before they're locked down!!
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Ok below are the results of the initial round of voting and the comments. Some additional breakdowns added in the comments should be considered, therefore there will be another round of ranking
Top three highest scoring breakdowns from this next round will go head to head and top vote getter will be 2012 SWICA masters cats
The new round of rankings can be voted on here
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2YLHKRR results will be taken Monday at noonish. Final voting will be set up for Monday and close on wednesday and then we will be done with this
Comments from None of the above with some responses
No cat 1 included in any master's groupings. Master A 35+ (2/3), Master B 35+ (3/4/5), Master C 50+ (open). Option added for next round
50+345
1st choice= 35+A(1,2,3) 35+B (4,5) 45B (4,5) 55+ Open added to next round of voting
Ten year brackets all the way up. Eg.35-44, 45-54. 55-64, 65-74. 75+. Category rankings for masters are meaningless. Technically accurate but a very poor way to encourage new to sport master racers and forces accomplished master racers to race in less competitive groups
A couple of points/opinions/views: 1) I don't see the 2011 categories, I would put that as my second choice. 2) One of the major trends I saw in the comments was the issue of "sandbagging". If you look at the SWICA points, it's easy to see who was sandbagging, they should move up (forced) a CAT and that would solve the sandbag issue. 3) I think too many people take this way to seriously... We are 35+, old guys that at the 4-5 level are extreme amateur level. We should race more, complain less, and have more fun. 4) I do see a problem with the older/weaker racers riding with the younger, less experience (stronger) racers, but it's hard to find a solution. 5) Let's not have 5-7 person races, those are no fun. 6) I like the idea of "self seed", then "forced self seed" if someone is dominating the bottom group. (i.e. this occurred in the master C level)
35+A (1/2/3), 35+B (3/4/5), 40+B (4/5), 55+ open
Where's the "keep last year's" choice? If the "select" group wasn't popular, just keep last year's without it. Both select and Master C were subject to pretty withering commentary making last years groups a non-viable option.
or 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, and 70+ Fields are too small and adds to administrative burdens and a bad intro for new to sport master racers and bad for accomplished master racers
35+A(1,2,3) 35+B(3,4,5) 45+A(1,2,3) 45+B(3,4,5) 55+ Open This was 2009 and 45+A field was generally too small but it is added as well
The biggest issue I have with any suggestion can be summed up as: 1) the need to have quality larger fields and 2) not having cat 3 riders in the cat 5 race, and preferably not mixed with 4's. I don't feel it is fair to the 4/5's to have sand bagging 3's racing the developing riders. Thanks for doing all this!
30 A's (1,2,3) 30 B's (3,4,5) 40 A's (1,2,3) 40 B's (3,4,5) 50 A's (1,2,3) 50 B's (3,4,5) 60 Open
Combine Master C 45+ with Cat 5 (start together, score separately), provides a entry level for new Masters, with motivation to move up to Master B to get out of the Cat 5 fun. Master A 45+, Master B 45+, Open 55+
Master's History
Just a history of how it's gone down in past years if that's helpful also:
Final Vote. Last Chance!!
OK, they've taken the 3 highest scoring choices and placed them up for vote. Last vote, last chance... http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RTVGT62
A TIE! So this is the FINAL FINAL vote for real. :)
Well, two of the choices tied on the last vote... so now it's down to just those. This is the final deal.
In my book, it boils down to the question of Cat 3's getting to choose between A & B or not. I vote we get to choose and then we sucker punch any sandbagging 3 that wins more than a couple B races. Make your choice now.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FinalVote2012SWICAMASTERSCategories
Voting ends 4 pm Friday Aug 26.
Vote Vote Vote
I strongly agree with Eric! Now, if you have not voted get off your butts, take 5 seconds and vote!!! I say that with a smile and love of course:)
Vote
I voted, the difference between cat 3 and 1/2 is a big one so I voted for the sandbagging option. Idaho is the first place that throws the 3's in the fire with the Pro/1/2 (I guess do to small field sizes). If I wasn't a master and had a lot of time/desire to train a lot it wouldn't matter much to me nowadays.... Just in case I decide to race again someday. I would think by the time you get to master's racing if you are in shape you wouldn't want to race in the slower group unless you had a good reason to, but I guess that is just me (not to mention the safety concerns of racing with the slower group).
Results are in.
Here's the latest note:
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A return to 2008-2009 it is. close but a clear win.
The clear message from everything though is Cat 3s is DONT SANDBAG. If you are fit RACE UP. Be honorable. If the kids and life kept you off the bike then ok self-select down
If you win a couple of B races as a Cat three expect maximum ridicule from the peloton
35+A(1,2,3), 35+B(3,4,5), 45+A(1,2,3), 45+B(3,4,5) 55+(Open)
52.4% 44
35+A(1,2,3), 35+B(4,5), 45+B(4,5), 55+(Open)
47.6% 40
Answered question 84
good news
Seems to most resonable solution. Thanks for the updates.