From the Feedback - 23/11/00

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.

Will Coutts get the go-ahead with the Americas Cup?
Hard to know! Depending on how strict the rules are, but Switzerland is known to have a merchant fleet. Many Swiss freighters do have a home port to which they can never sail. In this light it might work out for Coutts. This also means that the Swiss team is treated differently than all the other teams, not that I think it would give Coutts any advantages. He who lives shall see .

From Marina
Will Coutts get the go-ahead with the Americas Cup?Yes. It is not in his character to leave any stone unturned in checking out whether he is legal before he signed his life away as a virtually permanent exile from being a patriotic hero in New Zealand. Secondly, the RNZYS would look like extremely poor sports if they went to unreasonable lengths to keep Coutts and his boys out. Also, are they afraid he is going to take the Cup away? Are they implying that Deano Barker isn't good enough. I think not.

From Rwhaye
Will `Rocky Roy` do better this time? Bear in mind that in the last Whitbread he did not go the full distance. However when he took over the helm, he did win a stage with the boat that was considered the slowest of the pack. He has proven his capabilities, so there is a good chance he will be near/on top in this race. Pity though that with his capabilities as a match racer, he is not on a Dutch Challenge for the America's Cup.

From Matt Critchley
Do you think that the RS Association has made the right decision to lengthen the Championship? For definite! The weather in the UK is now unpredictable to say the least. With the trend for 4 day nationals (to minimise time spent away from the office) recent years have shown that almost as much time is spent waiting for the wind to build/moderate as is spent on the water racing! A 5 day champs is therefore only likely to increase the chances of determining a meaningful champion. Although for those who will be competing in both halves of the Nationals (I for one will be in an RS800 and the RS200) it might result in severe liver damage/bank overdrafts given the reputation that RS Racing has gained for its' social activities!

From Mickea
Vendee Globe.Foot to the pedal for Mike as he sets out to reel in the fleet! Poor Mike, but these things can happen. I hope he can catch up with the rest of the fleet and get involved in some racing. He is sitting in a rather lonely position right now, and this calls for nerves of steel. I wish him God Speed.

From Rob Redbourn
Looks like Bullimore is getting your support? Yes, definitely - TB's got an excellent track record of ocean racing multihulls. The hulls have been there and done it (albeit as a different length!). Whilst time is short for a full work up, they do have the whole Atlantic to sail before venturing into the Southern Ocean, so he should definitely go for it. The others are not much better prepared generally!

From Alex Davies
Is Roy right about ISAF and their decision to scrap the match-racing medal? ISAF make their own decisions for whatever reason takes their fancy, but I feel in an area where amateurs are less and less likely to get the chance to sail at the Games, dropping match racing was a good idea. Let the match racing boys earn their money on the Swedish Match Circuit, and let the rest of the non-pro and semi-pro sailors have their opportunity. Anyway the Soling is a bit of a pig! Thank god the 49er is still in!

From Aw Banks
Sounds like progress at last for a troubled campaign? The whole point of Team Philips design concept, as I understand it, is that the boat will be relatively easy to handle under sail in most conditions. Hopefully now the fundamental problems with the boat have finally been dealt with, the crew are free to take this boat to the next level, quickly, and above all safely.