cash prizes for record breaking rows

c2bill · Post by **c2bill** » January 15th, 2007, 1:56 pm

This is an interesting development...

Announcing the:
The 9th Annual Chicago Indoor Rowing Championship
Saturday February 17, 2007
Registration Deadline for All - Monday February 12, 2007
Introducing
The $5,000 Record Challenge
Break a CIRC, US or World Record
(Must be over 24 years old and not part of any collegiate crew)
Witness
The Exciting, Frantic, Crowd-Pleasing
Open & Youth Challenge
(Challenge Grand Prizes: Model Ds w/new PM4)
Qualify for
US Indoor Rowing Development Squad
Travel the World Open to all

Buy a New Model D or Upgrade Your Model C with Great Savings: Reservation Deadline - February 1st.

Garbage Model Cs Wanted for $100
Donate your discarded, disgraced and neglected Model C’s and serve a good cause.

Volunteers Welcomed
Volunteer for CIRC 2007: Morning and/or afternoon shifts are available and we could certainly use your help. Please contact us either by email or phone indicating your availability.

Event Registration Form and full details posted at : www.ChicagoIndoorRowing.com

We look forward to your participation ReadySetRow

Contact:
John S. Butsch
CIRC Director

p-fitz · Post by **p-fitz** » January 15th, 2007, 3:37 pm

C2 should have done this years ago for the CRASH-B's.

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » January 15th, 2007, 4:48 pm

I'm still trying to figure out what a Model C would have to look like to be worth only $100?

The "US Record" definition doesn't seem to be quite clear. i.e. C2 USA Online Ranking 2002+, with some sort of verification, but that seems a bit loose on a casual look. M40-49 appears to be Mike Caviston's 6:18*. Not quite worth travel time, but for a relatively local guy it might earn a quick $500.

* Only time that show up using the C2 Record Page query tool.

Bob S. · Post by **Bob S.** » January 15th, 2007, 5:48 pm

PaulS wrote:I'm still trying to figure out what a Model C would have to look like to be worth only $100?

The flyweel and monitor are missing.

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » January 15th, 2007, 5:54 pm

Bob S. wrote:
PaulS wrote:I'm still trying to figure out what a Model C would have to look like to be worth only $100?
The flyweel and monitor are missing.

I've got extras of both of those just laying about, send it on over.

Bob, your eyes are starting to glow!

Bob S. · Post by **Bob S.** » January 15th, 2007, 6:14 pm

PaulS wrote:
Bob S. wrote: Bob, your eyes are starting to glow! :shock:

That was taken with the built in camera of my new MacBook. The flash didn't operate, because the bright lights of an overhead ceiling fan made the camera think that flash was not necessary. The blue rectangles are the reflection of the monitor in my glasses. I liked the result, so I decided to use it as an avatar. I blotted out the bright lights in the upper left corner because they were a distraction. I also tried to reduce the highlights in my hair, but I don't remember my PhotoShop lessons very well and I sort of botched it. It didn't matter much; the image is so small that it isn't obvious.

Now that I have Windows capability, I can try playing with some of the erg computer combinations, but so far nothing has worked.

Bob S.

dennish · Post by **dennish** » January 15th, 2007, 7:09 pm

Not that my opinion is worth any more than anyone else's, but I find a payout for a WR tawdry. Better idea, if were going to do this kind of thing (and I oppose it), but why not divide the money up equally amongst everyone who sets a PB over their time from last year. Category bests are already rewarded with medals and/or hardware. Lets honour some hard work from the rest. dennis

p-fitz · Post by **p-fitz** » January 16th, 2007, 10:24 am

I believe Matthias S. refused to row at the CRASH-B's for a few years about a decade ago because he thought he should be rewarded for making the trip and potentially breaking the world record.

Imagine if a cash prize of $20k or more was offered for WR rows at CRASH-B's. You'd see many more super-competitive rowers, and likely many more spectators as well. It would be much more exciting.

Why is this idea "tawdry" when applied to indoor rowing, but widely accepted for races like the Boston Marathon?

dennish · Post by **dennish** » January 16th, 2007, 1:17 pm

I just feel that indoor rowing is best left out of the commericalization, do this odd thing because you enjoy it not for cash. Also I don't think WR record rows are always that exciting, from my perspective it more fun to see ordinary people do exceptional things compared to themeslves. But then I don't watch the finish of the Boston Marathon till the citizens start finishing. At WIRC this year I'll take Bayko trying to stay under 7:00 to anything Roy or the PN throw down. But like I say thats only my opinion, and certainly I understand that a whole lot more people may want to see a WR that sub 7:00 from Rick. I'm just not one of them. dennis

carie graves · Post by **carie graves** » January 17th, 2007, 11:25 pm

Wow -very interesting. It will be interesting to see who ends up racing and what their times are.

Will be interesting if a trend begins and if more people begin Indoor Rowing.

Hey iced in for two days here in Austin -no school. . . no nothing. At least I didn't have to shovel anything.

Not like you have been Dennis!!

Carie

dennish · Post by **dennish** » January 18th, 2007, 1:31 pm

Carie, Thankfully we missed the ice show, but the piles on each side of our driveway are still chest high. One of the guys who I ride with had emergency back surgery on Monday, back problems excelerated from shoveling. I've been able to get outside on the bike twice since we got back from Amsterdam. Spin bikes and trainers are getting powerfully old real fast. Damn I may have to pick back up the erg training. Oh please say surely not. So far since the 18 of Dec. we have gotten over 80 inches in Evergreen, more forecast for this weekend. Say you need a flunky to keep the UT boats in order? take care, be safe. live well, live strong. dennis

rowmyboat · Post by **rowmyboat** » January 23rd, 2007, 8:04 pm

"more fun to see ordinary people do exceptional things" ....

Records are broken by ordinary people I would have thought - it's only human nature to try and do the best you can at whatever you put your mind to and if it's the Boston Marathon or top Indoor Rowing Competitions and you get to the top, it's hard work staying there - what I think you must be counting as NOT ordinary people are those who maintain their 'top of the mountain' standing for a lengthy duration - good on them, they deserve what is offered in that case.

PB's are just as important in the achievement ranks and we all strive for them but it doesn't lessen the recognition record holders in any sport should be graced with.

What constitutes an 'odd' sport? - many varied sports to choose from that could be classed as 'odd' I guess - thank goodness we can choose what we like to do though.

Long may good keen competition remain, it will always bring out the best and set challenges for those new to the sport and want to push their boundaries.

Cheers, Rowmyboat

Joanvb · Post by **Joanvb** » January 25th, 2007, 8:12 pm

Thanks for posting, Bill. That's terrific! A little extra spice to the racing. What fun!

rowmyboat · Post by **rowmyboat** » January 25th, 2007, 8:25 pm

Whew, I'm glad you replied Joan, I thought I must have brought this converstation to an abrupt halt.... kind of expected lots of chatter on this one - very interesting.

Shirley

Krysta Coleman · Post by **Krysta Coleman** » January 26th, 2007, 1:21 pm

I think that a cash reward for a WR-type row is a great idea to enhance the competition.

At the upcoming Prairie IRC in Regina, Canada, we're having a little "Dash for Cash", with a couple $50 prizes for the best 500m times after the main 2k competition. I think that's going to be a lot of fun.