PMB World Cup DH #1

[Stretch]

 

- NO - this is incorrect. Many of the venues are 2 hours or so away from major hubs ...

 

I slightly disagree with you here....in a european setting that is fine..because they have been at it for years and years...and the crowds will be prepared to travel because they know what its about - and you will have enthusiasts coming from all the surrounding countries too because of the proximity and the transport facilities

 

my gut feel is that here in SA..we still need to somewhat rely on uninformed spectators to "pop in and see what its about"

[kosmonooit]

 

Basically the Teams are saying its too expensive to have 2 "exotic" destinations in one year - so with Cairns having Worlds in 2017 - they would rather go there and build up to that like they did here.

In my mind this is a good idea as a couple of years quiescence may stimulate spectator numbers again if we get it back.

 

Although the benefit of SA is the Time Zone from the EU, no big train smash there. Even going to the USA from Europe takes its toll on the athletes, Oz is even further. And isn't SA cheaper for them?

 

Other factor here about dwindling numbers is perhaps the travel for locals, its become so expensive to go on a road trip, and a loathsome experience all-in-all, and not many cheap flight options.

 

]

[Stretch]

the biggest wipeout on finals day goes too.....SAM DALE!

 

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823258/p4pb10823258.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823259/p4pb10823259.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823261/p4pb10823261.jpg

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

the biggest wipeout on finals day goes too.....SAM DALE!

 

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823258/p4pb10823258.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823259/p4pb10823259.jpg

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10823261/p4pb10823261.jpg

That was a priceless stack... Trying to showboat a wheelie over the line...

[nigelhicks]

1. in a european setting that is fine..because they have been at it for years and years...

 

2. and the crowds will be prepared to travel because they know what its about -

 

3. and you will have enthusiasts coming from all the surrounding countries too because of the proximity and the transport facilities

 

4. my gut feel is that here in SA..we still need to somewhat rely on uninformed spectators to "pop in and see what its about"

 

 

5. Although the benefit of SA is the Time Zone from the EU, no big train smash there. Even going to the USA from Europe takes its toll on the athletes, Oz is even further.

 

6. And isn't SA cheaper for them?

 

7. Other factor here about dwindling numbers is perhaps the travel for locals, its become so expensive to go on a road trip, and a loathsome experience all-in-all, and not many cheap flight options.

 

]

 

1. - yes - but the venues are small and often have not had big event experience.

 

2. - no the crowds dont travel - thats why many of the Europ Wprld Cups only have 4000 spectators over a weekend - still costs lots in Europe to go and watch - even with good public transport etc

 

3. - Again not always the case - Fort Bill is different as this always draws the crowds as the venue area (Park) is so great - they are 4 hours by train from Glasgow and 9 hours by car from London! ... they are in the arseend of nowhere but still manage to draw teh crowds because of their great advertising campaigns

 

4. - Yes - due to a crap advertising campaign IMO

 

5. - any of the flights are bad no matter where you go in the world - they all take their toll. Thats why the trams want a centralised "World Cup"

 

6. - no not always cheaper - remember that in Europe and the USA the teams have their huge pantecknicon rigs that have sleeping quarters etc and all their tools etc. Remote destinations mean they have to bring everything with them and this costs an IMMENSE amount of cash - in europe or the USA on the otherhand the mechanics drive the vans from venue to venue while the riders fly - this again saves cash as they have no handling fees for luggage as it is all on the trucks.

[Guest Omega Man]

My 2c

 

Was awesome to watch. The track looked awesome Nigel. My only disappointment (Not your fault at all) is that to a lay person our sport doesn't reeeeeally translate that well on the tele. I don't know if it's the camera angles or what but even MSA or Fort William look slow and don't look that great on TV if I'm honest.

 

Personally I think DH should be the preserve of the ski resorts in summer. The towns are built around the ski lift infrastructure The mountains typically have huge elevation where the best can strut their stuff and once they leave the plebs like us can go to the resorts and try the lines that have been built for the races. And then of course there's the existing lift infrastructure which makes track access super duper easy. Once the races leave the tracks become attractions for riders which generate money for the resort.

 

Les Gets for example was nowhere until they hosted a World Cup round for a few years.

 

If SA are to host a gravity orientated event I reckon a round of the EWS is a win. No need for ridiculous elevation. No ski lifts required. And you could do that almost anywhere.

 

Even have a stage in downtown Cape Town for example.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Omega Man

[Grebel]

That was a priceless stack... Trying to showboat a wheelie over the line...

 

Hehe! I doubt he was expecting that! Cool calm and collected when he came to a stop though. Reached down, adjusted the kneepad and got up like it was planned

[kosmonooit]

What about those big mountains up the road?

 

http://www.perfectafrica.com/img/galleries/2/drakensberg-peaks-above-clouds.jpg

 

Witsies Hoek to RNN is one gravity option that leaps to mind.

[Stretch]

 

Witsies Hoek to RNN is one gravity option that leaps to mind.

 

Would be pretty epic.... Environmentalist's will have a pink frothy

[Guest Omega Man]

Environmentalist's

Right there is the problem. The NO Police.