From the Feedback - 2/12/00

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 Mikebe,
The Race ready? One might have thought that anyone intending to sail the Southern Ocean in the near future would have welcomed the opportunity to test their largely untested craft in 60 knots of wind in the comfort of the English Channel. It seems to make rather more sense than leaving it until you get down there.

From Mike (come on Mike, tell us your surname next time!)
Match racing or fleet racing - which would you rather see at the Olympics? My opinion is that ISAF made quite a stupid decision in taking away the match racing. Match racing is far more interesting to the watching public than fleet racing. Fleet races are often run out of the vicinity of the public, as the courses are set out in the open sea, whereas the match race courses are quite close to the shoreline. The other stupidity ISAF made was to dump the Soling in favour of the Yngling. I think Yngling is a small craft best suited for lakes and close waters and with a crew of young apprentices. This decision has the taste of putting the women down, as if they would not be able to sail properly. Check the ongoing Vendee Globe race; I think a few boys have to eat Ellen's dust!!

From Simon Smith,
Match racing or fleet racing - which would you rather see at the Olympics? Match racing? The America's Cup? Yawn Yawn. The America's Cup 2000 was such a close contest that the Italian entry Prada ONCE crossed ahead of the Kiwis on the first beat of one race. After that it was pure follow my leader. Match racing may give good two minute television highlights, but live it can be as exciting as watching grass grow ... give me fleet racing any day.

From Tim, (and you Tim)
Don`t hold back, let us know what you think? I agree with Marty and not the other 85% of readers. If we are going to go for the America's Cup it's going to take three or four attempts just to start playing with the winners. The Australians and New Zealanders spent years developing their teams. It's going to be the Italians or Oracle next, then maybe the British in 10-15 years time. We should focus on the Admiral's Cup in 2001 and 2003, then the America's Cup.

From Big, (hmmm, not many more of these are going to get through)
Richard Tolkien dropped out of the Vendee and ... I think it is a real shame that the "Corinthian spirit " cannot compete any longer - at least he tried and full marks to the guy. I think the analogy of top sailing with Formula One motor racing is true (only six competitive boats for the next Volvo Ocean Race), so it's about time a "classic" round the world race was started that was achievable for the above average and motivated sailor, not just high profile and professional. We've read about Clare Francis, Tracy Edwards and Chay Blyth's efforts on the early Whitbreads, but modern communications could make that much more interesting compared to the "dinghy racing" skiff style.

Editor's Note; Which is why Chay Blyth came up with the Global Challenge, because the Whitbread had moved out of the reach of anyone but the top pros ... But I don't think the economics of the idea will translate to solo sailing quite as well.

And on the same topic ...

From Dave Levene,
You reach into Recife. You then walk to a sailmaker's and a rigger's shop and agree a price for them to do the necessary as soon as possible; just like you or I would do. Then you restart the race. You do not creep off home, away from something you've worked towards for ten years. Makes me cringe to find that he's English.

Editor's Note; Although Tolkien would no longer be counted as a competitor once he'd had outside assistance.

From Brian Hansen,
Wouldn`t a powered vessel be more useful than a yacht (as a safety vessel for The Race)? The only powerboat that would be more useful would have to be the size of a small ship at least. This is more about being seen to do the right thing than actually doing the right thing. Surely the other competitors would be in much closer proximity to offer assistance. Overall it's a very sensible move for sailing, to be pro-active in being prepared to assist in your own rescue, much like Fossett and Branson's ballooning efforts with their own rescue teams. Well done, I say to the organisers.

Editor's Note; The maxi-cats would certainly struggle to go upwind into sixty knots and big seas to offer assistance, as Pete Goss had to do in the last Vendee Globe.