Most pointless prize in world sport?

[flaming]

To first clarify, I do not go racing for the prizes. The addoration of the groupies is enough...

In the past couple of seasons we've been lucky enough to have won a couple of races, and a couple of series. The prizes are generally trophies depicting yachts, or cups of some sort. Some are new, others date back years. One, the Trafalgar cup, is reputed to be the oldest trophy in world sport, and is mounted on a bit of the victory. We liked winning that one, even if we couldn't take it away.

In addition, when the event has a sponsor there is often an additional prize. Lewmar provided some winch handles, Musto some bags, North some sail trim books and other kit- the list goes on.
And where the sponsor doesn't have something suitable on their product list, a bottle of booze is a usual stand in, and has helped kick-start some excellent crew get togethers.

For this week the sponsor was a well known marina company. Who very kindly provided a prize for each of the classes. We were fortunate enough to win our class.

The prize was a free overnight stay in one of their marinas. It was limited to one particular marina. The marina in the same river where almost all the boats have their permanent berths, many in that marina.

Very nice of them to pony up some cash (I assume) to help with the running of the racing. And also very nice of them to put up a prize. But to what use do they imagine the recipients of the prizes will be putting them?

 

[Viking]

Its the thought that counts! ????

 

[AIDY]

don't be greedy as you say you don't do it for prizes

 

[flaming]

don't be greedy as you say you don't do it for prizes

We're not! But as winner after winner picked up their, nicely laminated, prize, and looked at it with a "huh?" expression, the situation became rather comical.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Oh well, if you don't want it...

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Don't tell us .... the second prize was two nights in the same marina !

 

[rivonia]

Don't tell us .... the second prize was two nights in the same marina !

Now thats news he he

 

[DanTribe]

I once did a Scottish regatta, sponsored by the local electricity board with prizes of various electric gadgets.
We got 1st prize, an electric coffee percolator.
Wifey's only comment was, "why didnt you get 2nd place? We need a new kettle"

 

[flaming]

I once did a Scottish regatta, sponsored by the local electricity board with prizes of various electric gadgets.
We got 1st prize, an electric coffee percolator.
Wifey's only comment was, "why didnt you get 2nd place? We need a new kettle"

Couple of years ago, Volgswagen sponsored the "King of Cowes" regatta. First prize was a volkswagen Touraeg. Second prize was an Eos.

The boat that was leading going into the last race had a MOB on the last run, and slipped to second overall. The skipper's wife was delighted.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Yes! Yes! but what were the groupies and all that adoration like ?
Having switched from PBO to Scuttlebut you should now go to the Lounge and dig the dirt

 

[Quandary]

Racing Prizes

We won the British Airways Trophy in Bangor N.I. some years ago,there was a perpetual silver cup but the keeper was a pair of return air tickets to London presented with lots of ceremony including a kiss and hug from a couple of trolley dolleys. The owner, me, kept the tickets and later flew out for a day trip to the boat show, no problem in Belfast, but when we went to come back on the last flight were asked to wait at check in, then told the flight was full and would have to wait until morning.
The prize tickets turned out to be staff tickets and only valid for empty seats.
Cost to the sponsor = 0
Next time we won the crew got the tickets, course they had no problem.