World Championships 2011 Bangkok

[Bryan]

Yeah. Could someone explain why the WC is always in October or Novermber and not July for example?

My guess is that the venue costs in the fall would be significantly cheaper. In the summer, you have weddings and other things that are going on so the venues are booked, but in the fall, not so many things, so the venue could practically be given away if it fills up hotel rooms.

 

[amostay2004]

No such thing as seasons in Bangkok though =/

 

[masterofthebass]

Yeah. Could someone explain why the WC is always in October or Novermber and not July for example?

TRADITION!

 

[Radu]

There will always be people who won't like a certain date or location. Now it's in October and in Bangkok. I doubt this date and location will cause a lack of competitors.

 

[DavidWoner]

My guess is that the venue costs in the fall would be significantly cheaper. In the summer, you have weddings and other things that are going on so the venues are booked, but in the fall, not so many things, so the venue could practically be given away if it fills up hotel rooms.

The additional cost could probably be recouped by not spending tens of thousands of euros on wasteful extravagance. Is it cheaper in the fall? Probably. Would the cost of having it in the summer be completely prohibitive? Doubt it.

There will always be people who won't like a certain date or location. Now it's in October and in Bangkok. I doubt this date and location will cause a lack of competitors.

Oh of course there will be a large quantity of cubers there. But I have a feeling it will end up like Asian Champs, where many countries were underrepresented and a lot of the people you would expect to win weren't there.

 

[David Zemdegs]

lol, can someone please explain this one?

Tim.

On the Saturday night of the Asian comp they set up two timers and had two people with the same plate of food trying to eat it the quickest. I dont think thats really a good idea myself and not the best spectacle....

 

[flan]

Eating really fast and timing is a Japanese TV game show thing isn't it? So at the Asian champs thats maybe more likely to happen than at worlds. (please don't flame me for my ignorance of Asian culture if I'm wrong)

 

[Dene]

Or you could bring it to the Southern hemisphere and have it during Northern summer, our winter

 

[freshcuber]

Or you could bring it to the Southern hemisphere and have it during Northern summer, our winter

I second the motion. Definitly something to consider for next WCs

 

[David Zemdegs]

What are the normal conventions for friday and saturday night at world comps? I think one of those we should head to ratchaprarop station and head into the centre of town - Me or Arnaud can guide you on that one. The other might be in the hotel itself but i dont know about karaoke......

 

[masterofthebass]

there's going to be 500 people at this competition. There is no normal convention for what 500 people do. People get together and do things, just like anywhere else.

 

[Escher]

Whyyyyyy is it not in the summer?

Actually would have been feasible for me to go otherwise. I assume the same can be said for hundreds of others.

My guess is that they want it so only the most hardcore cubers who are willing (and able) to sacrifice other duties can make it

*Cries deeply*

 

[Hyprul 9-ty2]

Do it before September!

 

[04mucklowd]

Oh of course there will be a large quantity of cubers there. But I have a feeling it will end up like Asian Champs, where many countries were underrepresented and a lot of the people you would expect to win weren't there.

Wouldn't that happen wherever the competition could be held

 

[cmhardw]

I have a quick comment to make for those who are in school or at university. I went to World 2003 and 2005 while I was at university. Both times I ended up missing some school days, and both times I approached my professors beforehand telling them that going to this competition was extremely important to me, and what could be done? Both times my professors worked with me. I had crap tons of make-up work to do, but I was able to go. Also, at Worlds 2007 there were a lot of people from the California Universities who were working on assignments that had to be turned in even while they were at the competition.

For those in school or university yes it will be harder for you to go than most. You will have to make-up work and/or change your schedule. But, it can be done. Don't tell yourself you can't go until you talk to your professors. There may even be some consequences to your grade for lost attendance and such, but if you tell your professors that this is important to you, then there is a likely chance that you will be able to work out some sort of deal with him or her.

 

[flan]

I cant afford the travel anyway but wouldn't it be easier just to have it in the summer? Even if you can get time off in October its still going to be a lot easier the get the time off in the summer for the majority.

 

[Dene]

I have a quick comment to make for those who are in school or at university. I went to World 2003 and 2005 while I was at university. Both times I ended up missing some school days, and both times I approached my professors beforehand telling them that going to this competition was extremely important to me, and what could be done? Both times my professors worked with me. I had crap tons of make-up work to do, but I was able to go. Also, at Worlds 2007 there were a lot of people from the California Universities who were working on assignments that had to be turned in even while they were at the competition.

For those in school or university yes it will be harder for you to go than most. You will have to make-up work and/or change your schedule. But, it can be done. Don't tell yourself you can't go until you talk to your professors. There may even be some consequences to your grade for lost attendance and such, but if you tell your professors that this is important to you, then there is a likely chance that you will be able to work out some sort of deal with him or her.

Ya except when WCs is at the very end of term / exam time

/end southern hemisphere fail

 

[cmhardw]

Ya except when WCs is at the very end of term / exam time

/end southern hemisphere fail

I realize this would be an inconvenience, but don't most professors allow you to take the final exam early if you choose? I remember my professors always saying that if there was an issue with your exam, you had to notify them immediately and likely take the exam early. I realize that doing this would be a huge pain, and it hinges on whether people's particular professor will allow it, but this is an option. I've just learned that if you open the dialogue with your professors, that more often than not they will be willing to work out a solution with you. Especially if you mention that it's for a cubing world championship. From the lay cuber's perspective, there is not a lot more academic than taking time off from school for a cubing world competition. At least you're telling them up front, and at least you're not going to party in Cancun or something.

Again, every person's case is different, and situations are not the same for everyone. However, for those in school I strongly suggest to talk to your professor if you want to go / are able to go to the competition otherwise. I'm willing to bet that your professor will work out a solution with you.

 

[Dene]

Yea schools work differently in New Zealand. In the states, as I found, things are way more casual and pretty much everything is done by the professor and TAs. Over here, unless you are in a really big class (where there might be quite a few people that can't make the original exam time, so they tend to have a "secondary" exam, which is an entirely different paper sat earlier) there is no chance of sitting the exam at a different time. Without going on about it, basically all exams have to be sat with external supervisors and the university is not going to arrange that for just one person.

 

[CharlieCooper]

UK is the same Dene, no possible way of taking an exam early or anything (at least at every academic establishment I've studied at). Fortunately I have no exams to worry about missing but it's more I feel it could be irresponsible to miss a lot of taught classes and would leave me a bit out of the loop and confused for the start of the academic year as this would only be 1/2 weeks in. Chris is totally right, if you have a major situation with university/college, explain the the event and if you have generally got a good attendance record, there should be a way of working around it (so long as you aren't missing one off opportunities to do exams!). It's not like you are going on a week long bender to Bangkok... and even if you intend to... you can still disguise it as being vaguely mentally stimulating

If WC did happen to be in the summer, people would still be moaning because it would conflict with summer holidays, camps and other commitments. A large amount of the community would still have to take time off work and most significantly I think the fares for travel would increase massively during school holiday periods, inconveniencing absolutely everyone!