Who in the US is planning on going to Penang?

Hardly any teams went to Toronto, doubt many will go to Penang.

That sucks. Either it is a) too expensive or b) American really are afraid of paddling in a Muslim country. I am hoping it is reason a.

Don't know about the other regions - but the US West Coast (PDBA) just had the CCWC qualifiers, and teams that won the bids have 30 days to decide if they are going to accept them.

The cost is a significant issue. I think it's going to scare more than a few teams off (I know of at least two teams that didn't compete in the qualifiers for this reason).

I'd guess that at least a couple teams from Wasabi (Portland, OR) will accept bids. I hope that at least one of the San Diego bids will get accepted. Don't know if BAD (San Francisco) will accept, but would guess they will.

The reason a lot of US teams didn't go to Toronto was because the US Nationals in Tampa were very poorly timed (right after Toronto) - causing logistic and cost issues.

"and teams that won the bids have 30 days to decide if they are going to accept them."

LOL...I don't think DBC has even started this process yet. Even with the Central Region already done and a few Calgary spots that should be awarded through acclamation (sp?)

well the east coast hasn't had their CWCCC race-off yet. Schedule for Sept 22 in Princeton, NJ. Doubt many crews will race for Penang.

The Center had it's CCWC race off on the same day as the PDBA. Does anybody want to go?

"The reason a lot of US teams didn't go to Toronto was because the US Nationals in Tampa were very poorly timed (right after Toronto) - causing logistic and cost issues."

Huh? Very few teams bothered to go to Tampa!

"well the east coast hasn't had their CWCCC race-off yet. Schedule for Sept 22 in Princeton, NJ. Doubt many crews will race for Penang."

I thought Philly qualified for the CCWC in Toronto last year. Wasn't Toronto the qualifier for the CWCC for at least soem of the US teams?

Last year CCWC was in Toronto, that wasn't a race-off. You may be thinking of Welland race-off in 2005 for Torono.

The Princeton Race is the race-off for Penang.

Isn't philly going to be in sydney during the east race off? thats probably the best team the US could send.

Word is that Philly only cares about World Nationals. It gets expensive to go every year. Sydney, Penang, Moscow, Macau

Philly went to Rome in 2002, but had trouble filling its team with 100% Philly guys. They had guys a few guys from MAD and Portland with them, too.

Philly has always had a few people from outside Philly on their crews. They take the best that they can get.

The thread is about crews from the US that are interested in Penang. It doesn't sound like anybody on the East Coast is interested. Maybe Ellen Law?

More teams may get interested if the IDBF pulls off its plan to follow Penang with an exhibition race in Beijing at the time of the Olympic games. Would be an expensive trip but could be a once in a life time adventure. I'll bet you would see more interest if that happens. Might even get teams like Philly to consider this if it didn't interfere with the race offs for Moscow.

X Moscow off your list. The Euro club crews were a disaster in St. Petersburg. IDBF won't be going back to Russia any time soon.

Anon 10:27 - who is heading up this bid for DB in Beijing? I think it's simply a rumour.