David (Login Love2ski)
Posted Jan 4, 2008 9:57 PM
... and the seasons change, along comes the annual "discussion" about TAS.
I find it interesting that despite the air of being responsible and extending an olive branch, TAS Supporter didn't use an identifiable login to the message board, didn't put an e-mail address as part of his/her message, did not provide a way to contact him/herself or the TAS organization to discuss the topic, and did not provide any contact names or mechanism regarding how to find a responsible adult on the hill to deal with unacceptable behavior of the TAS racers while not on the course. This seems to be in line with the "kids will be kids" theme of the message - lack of responsibility or accountability appears to start at the top.
To you, TAS Supporter: When you come in to a situation where you already know there's animosity, taking such an irresponsible approach does absolutely nothing to ease tensions. As you've seen, it has only served to escalate emotions even before TAS takes over the Hyak face for the first time this season. How could it have been communicated better? Assurances that the TAS leadership will devote plenty of face time with the racers discussing off-course etiquitte would be a good place to start. Telling us who you are, who's in charge of TAS, and who to contact on-hill if we witness clearly inappropriate actions would be best.
Just about the only thing we can know for sure is that TAS Supporter wrote his/her message from a Puget Sound Energy location in Marysville (based on a reverse IP lookup). Give us something more to go on... like a cell phone number or FRS/GMRS radio frequency to use when we find one of the TAS kids getting pummeled by someone who doesn't appreciate them terrorizing small kids and beginners on Hyak's easy cruiser runs and cutting in line.