Women's MX coverage

[firecracker22]

Although I didn't see it, I heard on another board that the coverage of women's MX at Washougal was pretty pathetic.

We need to be heard. We need to petition ESPN to show more women's racing coverage. Go to the website and look for a "contact us" page. Start sending emails.

Website:
http://www.speedtv.com/feedback/

Here is what I sent:
"I would like to request we see more coverage of women's motocross. The women in our sport have made progress in huge leaps and bounds in the last few years, and have gained enough popularity for the pro women's race to be moved to Sunday's program with the men's pro race. Even if it's only for the novelty factor for some, women's racing is just as popular as men's and there are thousands of viewers who want to see the girls battling for the finish line too, rather than just a few short clips. The more coverage women's racing gets, the more sponsors we can attract, and that benefits everyone. Please show more than a few minutes of the women's race--they have worked a lot harder than the male pros to get where they are."

 

[GETMETOCA]

Very good, Sharla!

 

[E-Ticket]

In their defense Sharla.... while it wasn't a lot... it was a TON more than normal! They even showed faces, talked to one or two.

Major improvement from the past where you saw a 12 second clip of one corner.

Not great.. but definately better!

(BTW, I want to see more coverage as well.)

-- E-Ticket (a "guy")

 

[Fe_princess]

I did it!
Hey Nat, are you going to do any hare scrambles or enduros this year??

 

[GETMETOCA]

Originally posted by Fe_princess
I did it!
Hey Nat, are you going to do any hare scrambles or enduros this year??

Yep!  All the D-36 Family Enduros and this year I am planning to do the Jackhammer at Stoney and the 49er Qualifier at Elkins Flat.   When will you be joining in?  I keep telling everyone what a skilled rider you are, fearless jumper, speed demon, etc.....

 

[Fe_princess]

Flattery will get you everywhere...
I've been checking out the schedule on the D36 site.
I just printing the entry and will send it in tomorrow..

 

[MXN4FUN]

While women's motocross may be interesting to those involved, I had trouble faking interest the few minutes it was on. No disrespect, as I have ridden with some of the Pro women and yes they are faster then me, so are a lot of people and I don't want to watch them either. Seeing women struggle with tracks that five minutes ago 40 men glided through with relative ease and at greater speed doesn't bode well for TV time. I would be more interested in an hour special on the first women to qualify to race the nationals then ten minutes on the 'Special Ladies Class'

 

[Fe_princess]

You can always change the channel and you may want to ask permission next time you want to visit the Women's Forum...

 

[4EverOrange]

Seeing women struggle with tracks that five minutes ago 40 men glided through with relative ease and at greater speed doesn't bode well for TV time.

That's total BS! The only part of the track the women even came CLOSE to looking like they were struggling was the whoops. Which happens to be the part of the track they chose to air on TV.

The rest of the track every one of those women looked like they could hold their own with the guys.

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Originally posted by MXN4FUN
Seeing women struggle with tracks that five minutes ago 40 men glided through with relative ease and at greater speed doesn't bode well for TV time.

I can see this getting me into trouble very easily for jumping in here but here goes anyway.

We are used to seeing the men race on TV and develop a visual image of what it should look like as the they go through the obstacles. The fact that men and women are built differently has a bearing on riding styles. I don't believe that women struggle as much per se as the difference in riding styles depict. When I took Tigger to the DM WSMX and saw just how good the female instructors teaching the class were on the track, I enrolled for it too. Many of the girls in our class that day could ride circles most of the guys, myself included. None of the other guys were slouches either.

If we were used to watching women race on TV and the occasional men's race came on, it would probably look the same as you describe the opposite. Reminds me of dancing. When I see a woman dance they look so graceful, the movement is flowing and looks effortless. When I try to dance, I remind myself of a bull in a china cabinet.

 

[firecracker22]

They actually replied to me:

Sharla,
Thanks for your e-mail. Point well taken. We appreciate your
comments/suggestions anytime!

Thanks for watching Speed Channel!

 

[srellis]

Originally posted by Jeff Gilbert

When I took Tigger to the DM WSMX and saw just how good the female instructors teaching the class were on the track, I enrolled for it too. Many of the girls in our class that day could ride circles most of the guys, myself included. None of the other guys were slouches either.

I'm going to a DM WSMX class next month and I'm SOOOO excited!!!

I hear the girls put on quite a show at LL's this year!!!

 

[SarahL99]

I totally agree with the dance comment. I see it most in iceskating. Professional male iceskaters skate totally differant from pro females. Maybe its that whole image thing that women set forth - smooth, gracefully and so on. But the males - what are you trying to do buddy - put a whole through the ice? Same with volleyball players, totally differant styles between men and women but they're all playing just as hard! What about womens golf now? It really seems to be becoming popular. Better yet, womens tennis! Those girls rock! I thought I actually saw something that stated women's tennis was or is getting more media coverage than men's. Maybe its that powerful women are more fun to watch than powerful men!

The more women that take this sport seriously, the more coverage we'll get. Our numbers are still shy. But, if they actually gave us more coverage, I bet our numbers would increase faster. The coverage would be more of an incentive to other women to get involved.

Good going Sharla!

 

[coleman]

Shouldn't they focus on actually showing mx on tv first before they focus on the smaller groups in the sport.