From the Feedback - 29/12/2000

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 Charles Halverson,
What do you think of the Team Philips story? I think the end of the Team Philips story is very sad. I think Pete Goss was under intense pressure to enter The Race. This pressure came from his sponsors and supporters, his desire to restore credibility to the design team and the build team, his desire to see his personal dream realized, and even national pride. Under this kind of pressure, with time having run out, it is understandable why he decided to take the less prudent course of action. Understandable, yes. Right, no.

The fact is, that this critical decision was still the wrong one because the boat was not ready for such a baptism by fire. The result was the loss of the entire boat (not just the port bow). Of course hindsight is 20/20, but I think in time that most will agree that the rush to enter The Race was certainly not worth the loss of such a revolutionary machine. Nevertheless, Team Philips will live on as we shall see many of her design innovations in future mega racing cats. Sadly, I think the big loser is Pete Goss, because this episode will forever haunt him and will severely limit his access to big sponsorship money in future.

From George Conk,
Do you agree? Let`s have your opinion on Team Philips! The noble failure, like the noble savage, is an antiquated myth. The vessel failed in the conditions for which it was designed to persistently encounter. Such design failure does not carry a message with which anyone wants to be associated. So the Team Philips saga, however brave, will not attract support for a second round. The abandonment, following the hull failure, makes leading edge sailing look ill-conceived.

From Fareal,
Do you agree? Let`s have your opinion on Team Philips! It is about time someone stepped outside of the mould of British sailing - it's good for designers as well as sailors. I believe Adrian Thompson is to be lauded for stepping up to the line and at the very least he has put his credibility at stake. How many of us would be willing to do the same?

From Richard Ellis,
Do you agree? Let`s have your opinion on Team Philips! Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all. It's a shame it didn't work, but progress and finding the big ideas is about learning and not being afraid to fail. Years ago British sailing was at the forefront of the boundaries of our sport. The Olympics and Pete Goss show we should have the ambition to return there. If Team Philips think that they've had a good return, then even better for raising money for sailing in the future.

From the Philpins,
Do you agree? Let`s have your opinion! Not only has Ellen MacArthur stepped onwards from the British Olympic success, she should be a role model not only for women sailors but also women. At her tender age there are a whole load of teenagers (and upwards) who should take pleasure in the student beating the teachers. Also we have others in the Vendee doing well - EPB Gartmore and after the devastating mast problems Group Four. But then here is another skipper from the BT Challenge school and maybe as the article implies, like Goss - the typical Brit heroic failure.

However, Goss and his team will have done what Brits are also good at - innovation. So many British 'inventions' have only been made successful by others. We get the idea, work it up and then someone else comes along and makes it successful - another aspect of the British disease. I'm sure that in three years or so Goss' cat design will work and be successful - too much too quick, too soon. But let's hope he bounces back and proves his mettle - but who can deny that Ellen MacArthur is the better advert for British sailing at the present time ?

From Mike Young,
Do you agree? Let's have your opinion! The Team Philips challenge for The Race has brought a breath of fresh air into British sailing. Its combination of hi-tech and high publicity will have taught a lot of lessons not just to the team but to all sailors. Coming from a motorsport background I as much as any "tutted" at their efforts to undertake such a massive project on such limited funds - yes, limited, Team Philip's reported £4 million is a fraction of the budget that an F1 team would require for one season. As for the technical side, now commonplace carbon fibre race cars also had teething problems, resulting in injuries and death, so inevitably there would be problems with this project - but more time would have enabled suitable cures to be found.

Goss and Thompson will probably be feeling rather down at present, but I hope they reflect upon happenings and start to plan a sister-ship incorporating the lessons they have learned, to ensure the Mk2 version is even better. They might have missed The Race, but inevitably there will be a new record set and it'll be there to be beaten!

A lot has been written about the Team Philips publicity machine and most of the criticism would appear to have come from those that are jealous that they could not organize such a well produced scheme. What is it about the English that they love to knock those that failed while trying. You don't deserve Team Philips, they are triers! If they had competed and won it would have been very interesting to see the response!