From the Feedback - 9/1/2001

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 Don,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? I'm sure Bullimore is working hard and giving it his best effort. He has put together a team and a boat, more than many people can say. The fact that both have had some problems and are not perfect doesn't make him less of a man. Bullimore's problems don't reflect poorly on sailing as Mark Chisnell states, but his continued determination reflects upon his character. Mark Chisnell's negative comments however, do reflect poorly on Mark. Bullimore owes nobody anything. While not perfect (but who is?), he is helping make The Race the event it can be. Good luck to all the competitors, I appreciate your efforts.

From Steve Morgan,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? One small question ... Has Mark ever entered a race knowing he cannot win - but just to take part? If everyone who believed they had no chance of winning did not take part you would end up with a HOYA Round the Island Race of around 150 boats, a Fastnet of 30, your average RORC race with ten and the average dinghy nationals of around ten. Standards of entry are dictated by the organising committee in terms of qualification requirements, not some arbitrary selection body. He's qualified, therefore he can race. Remember, he's already beaten Team Phillips!

From Alex Davies,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? The man is famous for under-prepared and perhaps even dangerous boats, no-one would know him otherwise. I don't know how many people saw the diabolical waste of TV airtime that he did with Lenny Henry, all about pootling around in the Atlantic off the Canaries ("Lenny's Big Adventure" was the name of the programme). He certainly found no friends at my home sailing club on the public speaking tour he did after he found fame.

From Laurence Mead, Hong Kong,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? I'm with Mark Chisnell on this one, I too hate to knock people and I thought that most of us "day sailors" were wrong to disparage the efforts of Pete Goss. Yes, he made some mistakes but they were much more management mistakes - which will be his problem to overcome - than some massive negative for British sailing. However, I also agree with Mark a hundred percent that there has to be a stop somewhere, and I get fed up to the back teeth listening to media bull%*& about "adventurers" in sailing.

I know Ian Moore well, and his achievement to go from bowman on a regional 46 footer in 1996 to co-navigator on the leading Volvo campaign in 2001 is a testament to his skill, tenacity, ambition and sheer persistence. Something that could be hailed by the media as a true "British" success story. On a global basis he is one of our sports leading young talents. But I would guess he has almost no chance of ever getting recognition outside of the sport for that - unlike only half decent tennis players for instance.

It made me stop and think to read the massive list of success that Mark listed - but, and here's the biggie, you guys are the journalists, you guys write the stories! I know that sailors come here to read the sailing news (every day for those of us living overseas) but we need you to set the agenda for the editors at the Sunday papers. Easier said than done no doubt, maybe Ed Gorman can lay out the path to be followed? Write some human interest stories, slip in some sailing news and you will get published is the message that Bullimore's coverage sends - so write!

A never ending debate - but anyway, it's a great website, especially your met briefings of the Vendee. And lastly, as an upside - I bet Ellen MacArthur sets some records for media coverage if she finishes (wins?) the Vendee.

From Mark F Canepa, Gibraltar.
PlayStation pulls into Gibraltar. Blood and guts are required, especially if your best form of rest is to be done in a cramped space such as can be seen on the PlayStation. The team have spent the best part of the day fitting out the old sail and the testing has been a short spell in the Inner Harbour - just in front of my balcony. The PlayStation is to set-out at sunset, and I wish them and the other teams all the best and may fair winds blow them back to us again in the shortest time possible.

From PW McM, Newport
PlayStation back in it? It would seem that as a result of the weather patterns setting up in the Atlantic, PlayStation is certainly "in it". As this is a 27,000 mile race and the leaders are only a few hundred miles away, then this probably only represents a one percent penalty. The main issues are that PlayStation will be using an old and tired mainsail, which may be strong enough, but may not necessarily be the fastest sail on the race course. At the end of the day, I believe that this will be a race of attrition due to the somewhat experimental nature of these boats, coupled with the very short trials period some of them have had the opportunity to conduct.

From BC,
Do you agree? Let's have your opinion! I don't think that the Team Philips saga is in any way bad for the sport of sailing. It is always true that many deserving causes don't get the coverage that they should because of the impact of events such as Team Philips. But there has been so much interest generated, especially in the South West. Events which are bad for sailing are those such as the Maria Assumpta, or the Lyme Bay tragedy. In contrast there was always this great air of adventure about Team Philips. A group of people pushed the limits of sailing and when their efforts came up short they had the good sense to know when to get out and the quality of seamanship to do so without anybody being hurt. Let's also not discount the way in which Team Philips has got the common people involved - through efforts such as the centre in Totnes and the names on the hull - in a way in which so many other big, solely corporate sponsored projects have not.