FasterSkier Forums » Racing

1. sailguy
   Member

   I was reading the coverage of the NorAms and noticed some oversights in giving credit to the groups that make these races happen. In the articles so far, I have only seen one reference to the host location, and no references to the sponsors.

   If we want to have more great races with both US and Canadian teams out in force, we are going to need clubs and venues to host races, and sponsors to pay for them. In tight economic times, sponsors are looking to cut expenses and cross country ski races are definitely an expense that doesn't generate a lot of mainstream press coverage.

   Does it make sense to ask that when race results and commentary appears, an effort is made to name the hosts and sponsors?

   The Canadian team used to make a point of having each skier personally thank a few volunteers each race day. This really helps with getting volunteers back for the next event.

   For the NorAms last weekend, the title sponsors were Haywood Securities and Teck. The host venue was Sovereign Lake. Many of the skiers stayed at nearby Silverstar village (which has a great alpine resort and good cross country ski trails too), and the rest stayed in the town of Vernon in the valley below. Sovereign Lake Nordic Club produced about 60 volunteers each race day.

   And speaking of credit where credit is due, NOTHING motivates Canadian skiers like getting beaten by our American neighbours. Thanks to all the US skiers who made the long trip to provide more motivation than we were hoping for! Special thanks to Holly Brooks for both recognizing volunteers and putting on a demonstration of how to deliver on race day.

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. Topher Sabot, Editor
   Key Master

   This is a very good point. We did not do a good job recognizing the volunteers and the venue this weekend. I apologize for that, and will be sure it does not happen again.

   The biggest problem is that we misrepresented where the events actually occurred. That is just bad reporting, and is unacceptable.

   I think it is reasonable to request that hosts and sponsors are included in articles on results, but I don't feel that is obligatory, especially on the sponsor front. We will certainly do so when we feel it is appropriate. The best reason to do so is to provide recognition to those who make these events happen. But that is not inherently the responsibility of a news organization.

   While you will see endless VISA ads at the Olympics and on TV, you will not hear reporters plugging the company during broadcasts.

   And since sponsors are not directly part of the "story" of the race, it is the responsibility of the organizers to publicize information. Our main concern is the event, not researching title sponsors. One of the main forms of recognition for sponsors is visual promotion at the event.

   Logos are everywhere. It would behoove organizers to provide photos of the competitions and podiums with sponsor logos clearly visible. FIS makes a huge effort on this front in regards to television.

   Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. sailguy
   Member

   FS, the VISA example is a good one. VISA is paying for a chunk of 2010 which gets heavy media coverage, and paying for media ads as well, so they don't really need our help.

   I also agree that 'obligatory content rules' for articles would cause more problems than it would solve. I was not meaning to criticize fasterskier.com (a force for good) so much as ask the fasterskier community if there would be support for suggested guidelines.

   I guess what I was really trying to say was:
   - This level of race with both countries out in force is good for skiing in NA.
   - This level of race requires significant sponsorship and volunteer effort.
   - Can we as a community do something to keep those volunteers and sponsors coming back each year?

   In boom times, cross country skiing attracts enough new sponsorship to give out significant cash prizes, even if we don't see World Cup level money on this continent. In non-boom times, we haven't, in general, made the sport attractive enough to keep those sponsors. We also haven't, in general, attracted enough media coverage for visual promotion to be very effective.

   There was a point to all this, but despite producing a lot of words, I am not sure I have made it. Feel free to jump in and make it for me :-)

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. Topher Sabot, Editor
   Key Master

   Basically, at the end of the day, this isn't NBC and the Olympics. We need to pay extra attention to the supporters - be it sponsors, volunteers, or hosts. There is not an endless line of title sponsors lining up to support our events.

   So any recognition that gives credit to those who make events happen is important. Maybe that is you point :)

   And if so, I do agree! My response was in part theoretical. I don't feel an obligation to promote event sponsors, and don't want to be compelled to do it. But I believe that doing so could add value for sponsors and make the support of XC races more attractive. And that IS important.

   And your most important point involves the host venues. The venues and the volunteers need recognition. But we also need help with the info. Unfortunately we did not have a reporter at those races, so we were at the mercy of second-hand info. A fact sheet form the organizer with some info on the volunteers, and other pertinent info would have been great.

   Posted 2 years ago #

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