Early Pointing Start Plan After Virus Halted Sport

The possibility of starting next season in October has been put forward along with other plans

- Lucy Elder

The Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) is floating the idea of starting next season early after coronavirus brought the 2019/20 season to a halt.

The remainder of this season was shut down on 17 March.

“This was a very difficult decision, recognising that many people’s livelihoods are involved,” said the PPA.

The wet winter also meant abandonment of many fixtures, but those that ran had big fields, with an average of 50 runners at each and many more at some.

PPA CEO Peter Wright has shared a discussion paper with ideas for next season, including changes to certain race conditions and suggestions of new races, and has mooted October fixtures.

“The Irish moved to October in response to foot-and-mouth [in 2001], and from that their current model was born,” said Mr Wright, adding that whether this is practical is uncertain, but the PPA would like feedback.

“Many of you have mentioned it in passing but there are several levels of complexity, not least the general administration and regulation of a sport running nine months a year. But the sad foreshortening of the season has brought the issue back into focus.”