Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2002 4:58 am
Here is the third response from the letters that were sent out for safety reform in competitions. This is from the organizers of the Gorge Games and includes my response.
Jennifer,
Thank you for your reply and consideration of this safety issue. This sport is growing and is in transition, particularly in light of the recent accident. I suspect that that mandatory leash use in competitions, if adopted, will be met with resistance by some competitors and with cooperation by others. I have some early indications of this pattern from inquiries among professional competitors in other parts of the country. Change is often greeted with resistance however the consequences of continuing current practices to riders and potentially bystanders, may be too great if misfortune occurs again. I wish you success in your discussions and deliberations.
Thank you for organizing this singular sporting event in the Gorge and for considering this request,
Rick Iossi
>From: "Jennifer "JJ" Johnson" <jj@gorgegames.com>
>To: <flkitesurfer@hotmail.com>
>CC: "Tobias Blanck" <tobias.blanck@octagon.com>
>Subject: Kite Safety
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 16:45:58 -0700
>
>Rick,
>Thanks for your email regarding safety at our event. Like you said it is difficult to find the right balance between "Extreme" sports and safety. In light of the current accident in Germany we are addressing our saftey plans and discussing the possibility of requiring leashes. I appreciate your input and appreciation of the sport and its athletes. Let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks, JJ
>
>Jennifer "JJ" Johnson
>Ford Gorge Games
>Competitions Director
>(541) 386-7774x16
>jj@gorgegames.com
>
>
Jennifer,
Thank you for your reply and consideration of this safety issue. This sport is growing and is in transition, particularly in light of the recent accident. I suspect that that mandatory leash use in competitions, if adopted, will be met with resistance by some competitors and with cooperation by others. I have some early indications of this pattern from inquiries among professional competitors in other parts of the country. Change is often greeted with resistance however the consequences of continuing current practices to riders and potentially bystanders, may be too great if misfortune occurs again. I wish you success in your discussions and deliberations.
Thank you for organizing this singular sporting event in the Gorge and for considering this request,
Rick Iossi
>From: "Jennifer "JJ" Johnson" <jj@gorgegames.com>
>To: <flkitesurfer@hotmail.com>
>CC: "Tobias Blanck" <tobias.blanck@octagon.com>
>Subject: Kite Safety
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 16:45:58 -0700
>
>Rick,
>Thanks for your email regarding safety at our event. Like you said it is difficult to find the right balance between "Extreme" sports and safety. In light of the current accident in Germany we are addressing our saftey plans and discussing the possibility of requiring leashes. I appreciate your input and appreciation of the sport and its athletes. Let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks, JJ
>
>Jennifer "JJ" Johnson
>Ford Gorge Games
>Competitions Director
>(541) 386-7774x16
>jj@gorgegames.com
>
>