From the Feedback - 12/12/00

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 Steve Boatright,
The final chapter? I can't be the only person out here who is sad that such an inspiring effort has come to this.The world though and sailing is a better place for people like Pete Goss who can inspire others and take the right sort of risks. In reality, the time for real testing was too short, if they had just gone through one or two storms perhaps the damage would have been spotted and repaired before it got serious. Next time a wave piercing pod might be an idea! (I really hope there will be a next time).

From Ed White,
The final chapter? All I have to say is that I feel immensely sad for Pete and the rest of his crew. They are the only crew and boat that is living up to the ethos of the race, bringing in new, untried radical ideas, and yet it seems as if they have been punished for doing so. It is clear that the boat has immense potential, and I hope that it is rescued in a seaworthy state, and the crew are given time to get to know the boat. Then I would like to see her put through her paces - a record 24 hours run, a Jules Verne attempt, who knows?

From Graeme Handley,
What do you think about Goss` actions? It comes as no surprise to see the abandonment of Team Philips and that action in itself was the correct decision. The fact that Goss was able to reach this point at all is the more interesting proposition. Why is it that when Britain has so many qualified and talented people that sponsors still support the Royal Marine "tally ho, chocks away" brigade?

Whilst Goss has had a long background in terms of miles it was not in mainstream professional sailing. The outcome of this will be yet another sponsor burned and more valuable sponsorship dollars down the drain. I appreciate that it requires a great deal of effort and savvy to generate the sponsorship dollars in the first place, but I believe we have a responsibility to the sport by being realistic in who we are and what we are capable of.

Grant Dalton understands his strengths and weaknesses and models his campaigns around these, hence a highly professional crew and a more sensible platform on which to mount his challenge. The abandonment of Team Philips was a blessing in disguise, no lives lost and hopefully an opportunity for the Smiths, Percys and Beadsworths to step up to the plate and bring some true professionalism to British sailing.

From Mark B,
The final chapter? A sad weekend. The dream may not yet be over. To have taken such radical a move is a brave thing and one must not forget that. When pushing in the way they have on the edge of technology things are bound to go wrong. One just hopes that Team Philips is recovered in a seaworthy state and is able to one day show her true potential. It is hopefully a time when those cynics out there will not be allowed to undo all the good work of others. All the best to them.

From N Hurst,
The Final Chapter? I am deeply saddened by the news of Team Philips being abandoned. I am sure that the majority of ordinary sailors like me view the innovation of Pete Goss and his team to be the forerunner of things to come. Without this sort of leadership and preparedness to take risks, we might still think the world was flat! I hope that the boat can be salvaged in a repairable condition, or at least so the 'what went wrong' analysis can be done. My (layman's) opinion is that the concept has been proven, and it is the structural strength which is lacking. As for the cost; the reported £5million spent by Team Philips and the other sponsors is chicken feed when compared with what is spent each year in - for example - the IT budget.

From Steve Steiner,
How many will make it? Unfortunately, the world of new technology rarely steps straight onto the ocean without damage. These wild new ideas will set the standard for future development, but will suffer their trials in the worst sea conditions. After 250,000 plus miles at sea, I've seen what it can do. You can have seven meter waves from two opposite directions, which causes havoc for a catamaran. I think we will be lucky to see two or three finishers. This race must go on however, because without these pioneers, our sport will never evolve. Catamarans have always led the way in technology. Mono-hulls are just now getting to the catamaran technology of the 1980's in mast and mainsails.

From Ben Nicholls,
The final chapter?This is VERY bad news for British yachting - yet another collection of heavy sponsors of our sport are probably lost. The only good thing about all of this is that the foolhardy crew are all alive.

From Paul 'Irish Shoes'
The Final Chapter? I have no doubt that questions will be asked by everyone (including my granny!). How in this day of yachts going around the globe with only one aboard safely, can a project of this size and value go to the bottom of the sea before the race starts? What was the designer's name?? I think he needs to go back to school.

From Marina Johnson,
Is Peyron right to press on regardless? No. Some of the best sailors in the world are facing some of the worst weather in European history. I'm not saying it should definitely be delayed, but there should be open discussion on the possibility. These guys are using super human endeavours to try to get there and the race organisers should treat them with the same honour they are treating the race organisers.