Passing on part of the insurance premium that is exclusively OW dedicated is just a business decision.
And one I think I agree with, because all the other options for dealing with the cost increase seem to have bigger down-sides or smaller up-sides than the one the Board chose. My point was to contradict the specific suggestion that the new sanctioning rules have no negative consequences for races on "smaller, closed-loop courses."
My team puts on a race on a closed-loop course in a lake. Last year we drew about 300 swimmers and about broke even. We think we can satisfy the new boat equipment and insurance rules, but we are going to have to raise the entry fee to cover the cost increase that is trickling down to us. We think the increase will be small enough and the overall entry fee still low enough that we can do it without compromising attendance. On the other hand, the director of a 60-person race might have to make a different business decision, which would not mean a lack of "gratitude" but rather a lack of money.
If USMS identifies more expansive or less restrictive insurance for OW events for 2014 and beyond, but only at even higher premiums, that situation will present even more difficult business decisions for the USMS Board and for race organizers.
Passing on part of the insurance premium that is exclusively OW dedicated is just a business decision.
And one I think I agree with, because all the other options for dealing with the cost increase seem to have bigger down-sides or smaller up-sides than the one the Board chose. My point was to contradict the specific suggestion that the new sanctioning rules have no negative consequences for races on "smaller, closed-loop courses."
My team puts on a race on a closed-loop course in a lake. Last year we drew about 300 swimmers and about broke even. We think we can satisfy the new boat equipment and insurance rules, but we are going to have to raise the entry fee to cover the cost increase that is trickling down to us. We think the increase will be small enough and the overall entry fee still low enough that we can do it without compromising attendance. On the other hand, the director of a 60-person race might have to make a different business decision, which would not mean a lack of "gratitude" but rather a lack of money.
If USMS identifies more expansive or less restrictive insurance for OW events for 2014 and beyond, but only at even higher premiums, that situation will present even more difficult business decisions for the USMS Board and for race organizers.
