From the Feedback - 25th October 2000

The latest words from you ...

Anyone can join in with our From the Feedback compilations, all you have to do is click on the blue question link at the bottom of each article, or hit the My Feedback button at the top of every page. Tell us what you think, and don't feel you have to wait for us or someone else to get around to a topic. If something is steaming you up in your class, club or pub - let us know.
We'll be publishing the choicest moments from the stuff you send us - but each contribution may or may not be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. And of course, as they so famously say at the start of anything like this, the opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madforsport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

From jdudmesh

I really take issue with B Nicholls comments about Team Philips. Pete, Adrian and the sponsors have been brave enough to try and introduce some genuine innovations with this boat. If they have made a mistake it has been in not allowing themselves enough time to iron out the wrinkles in this new and daring concept. All the boats competing in The Race have had problems, not just Team Philips. Given another year TP would be out there smashing records and I have every confidence that they will do just that in the near future. Pete's campaign has captured the imagination of both the yachting community and the wider population. I doubt there are many designers out there 'enjoying this procession of mishaps'. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, everybody at the top of the sailing world is rooting for Pete and wants to see him win. I would remind B Nicholls that a man who never makes mistakes generally never makes anything.

From Rob Cunningham

I have been away from sailing for a number of years - things have changed quite a bit. Are the established classes suffering with the advent of all the manufacturer classes? Could you encourage contributors to include the number of entrants when reporting events? I have particular interest in the Laser, but hovering at around 70 kg, I am not sure whether the Radial or Full rig would suit. Could contributors of Laser events include stats of sailor heights and weights?

Editors Note: Maybe there's a Laser sailor out there that can help Rob?

From Chris Henry

I agree with the overall tone given by your report on the Laser 2000. It is surprising that the overall mark for the boat is only 50% as all but one of the individual catagory results are far higher! The overall speed of the 2000 is modest and in keeping with the club racer/cruiser design of a boat with a handicap of 1092. I can vouch for its ability to provide a bit of a surprise to owners of higher performance craft once the wind hits force four or above. My one criticism of the boat are the lapses of quality assurance by Laser which have marred an otherwise happy ownership. These QA problems have also been experienced by other Laser 2000 owners. Laser are extremely helpful in solving problems as they arise, but would benefit from a more professional approach!

Editor's Note: Fair cop guv, we just checked the maths and the Laser 2000 should've got an overall madforsailing score of 70% - oops, change made and apologies to all concerned.

From Adam

I'm fully behind Team Philips all the way, but I feel that launching in late-November will leave them with no time to tune up and get to the start. Even if they did get to 'The Race' start line I believe they would return home soon after through a breakage of some sort. They may have tuned the masts up 'onshore' and run through procedures for reefing etc, but it's completely different from sailing offshore. I'm sure they know this and will be doing every thing in their power to get out on the water. I believe if they don't get out on the Atlantic by early November, Team Philips unfortunately and regretably will be stuffed.

From B Nicholls

The Endeavour used to be a true Champion of Champions event. Why was this year's event so poorly attended? I notice that the Champions from the Laser Class, Finn Class, 470 Class, and Europe Class were not there. Surely this could have raised the profile of the event somewhat? Especially bearing in mind recent events in Sydney Harbour.