On Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:58:08 +0000, Walt Connelly wrote:

Seriously though, we do need to do something to grow our sport. Exposure
to the public is everything. When a major championship gliding event
fails to attract a news camera from a local tv station, something is
wrong. The recent Senior Championships didn't get the coverage that the
local Bike Week event did. There were stories every day on the local
media about the bike event but nada on soaring. Sad.

It would be interesting to know what effort and finance the bike event
put into attracting sponsors, getting its footage onto TV and the type of
exposure (sport or local news slots). Comparing that with the same
figures for the Seniors is likely to provide all the reasons for that
lack of coverage.

I think we already have a good candidate for a TV sport slot. Its called
the Glider Grand Prix and comes complete with all the America's Cup
display gizmos that are apparently needed to get a non-mainstream sport
onto TV. Most importantly, it showcases racing sailplanes doing what they
are designed to do. Isn't that the sort of exposure we really need? IMO
its the type of exposure that's most likely to provide a steady flow of
new bods into two-seat cockpits.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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