From the Feedback - 7th November 2000

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 Ruth Verrier-Jones

Should women`s match racing become the new Olympic sailing sport? Yes, definitely. There should also be careful consideration about the weight limit though. The inclusion of more women's disciplines in the Olympics is welcome, but I am worried that if they are forced to choose a 3 person boat then the weight limit will be big and we won't see women in the next Olympics, just lots of gorillas that used to be women! I am above the average height for British women (5'6") but my weight (57kg) is 11 kg below the 'average' weight that is used when working out women's weight limits for match racing events. Where did they get the 'average' weight from?

From anonymous (who gets in despite not leaving their name, not a rule we're going to break very often)

Who should we profile next? How about profiling someone from the major dinghy classes? All the profiles are on the high profile classes, but in reality very few people sail these, e.g. not many people match race because it's expensive, only six skiffs turn up for the nationals etc. What about a profile of someone from the RS400s, Enterprises, 505s or something like that - these classes get 100+ to their Nationals!

Editor's note: We've already had former or current Lark, RS800, RS600 and Optimist champions, so we're completely in agreement with this - just click here and send us an email address or phone number for your national champion!

From Grant Murphy

Have the selectors picked the right people? It's quite difficult to answer that question, as the selection criteria has been shrouded in a volatile cloud of mystery! I believe that team racing selection is best performed under competition with the best 'team', rather than the best sailing CVs winning through. That said, best of luck to everyone who makes it through to representing us.

From Sailfaster

Will we see any of these guys at the Internationals in UK next year? Without a doubt ... the US and Canadian Albacore teams plan to storm the Internationals in Torbay next August. At this time two containers (16 boats) plan to make the trip across the pond, plus another several who plan to charter boats. Barney Harris and David Byron who have won all North American titles for three years running will lead the charge. Marty Hublitz, David Wallerstein (team captain), Peter Duncan and Canadian Commodore, Heather MacNaughton, will be coming along with many other top North American sailors.

From David Wallerstein, Team Captain '01 Worlds, United States Albacore Association

Will we see any of these guys at the Internationals in UK next year? Almost all and then some!!! For the first time in the 30 year history of the Albacore Internationals an armada will be coming from North America. Two containers with 16 Albacores aboard will be leaving the Port of Baltimore for Torquay in mid-July for a week of racing that will pair up the International and British championships on August 4-10. Several top Canadian teams have made arrangements to charter new Speed Sail boats for the event. At this point it looks like 14 teams from the US and 6 from Canada. Along with top helms from this year's North Americans - Harris, Hublitz, Koby, Duncan, Wallerstein (7th) will be sailing with the same crew that came in 6th in the 1971 original championship held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club! Other notables include many past and current officers at the national and international level.

From Mickea@papa.partio.fi

Should VERITAS be penalised? If the skipper of VERITAS was really sticking to his original sailplan, I think he should not be penalised. But it is very difficult to determine whether the sailing tactics are or were as the skipper stated. After all, it is only his say so, and if there is the slightest hint of the matter not being as stated, then a penalty would be proper procedure - for instance, let the vessel start from the next port as being the last one out!