From the Feedback - 16/02/02

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 Mike Ahrenberg,
Simply the best! Here´s our official congratulations to Ellen from the Finnish International 5m Association. Congratulations Ellen MacArthur on your extraordinary result in the amazing Vendee Globe single-handed round the world race, 2000-2001.

From Cordrey,
Ellen's Finished! From the pupils of Ranelagh School, Bracknell, we all congratulate your second place in the Vendee Globe. We have a special place in our reception area with our photos of you and a reminder of just what sheer guts and determination will achieve. Brilliant.

From Russ Saunders,
What about Mich Desj? I am amazed at the extent of his capabilities. He obviously has made a point of being as technical as he needs to be, but seems to understand the seas, winds, pressures, and people. Most of all, he seems to have common sense as to how far he can push without harming himself or his boat. Great race!!!! Well done.

And hooray for Ellen! It was great to see that world class sailing is open to everyone now. Ellen was complimented by Michel, which said it all. Those of us who support sailing are very happy that now perhaps we will get more women involved and that will be great for the sport and the competition. We wish Ellen the very best and hope she comes to sail the West Coast - our conditions demand the best any sailor can offer.

From David Lapes,
What`s your view of Mark and Ellen`s decision-making? Ellen has shown great perception and humility in employing someone like Mark, and listening to his advice. Between them they have pooled their resources and created the sponsor's dream. If Mark had sailed the boat into second place there would be no story, but for 'little' Ellen - WOW!!! I was at Les Sable d'Olonne. It was impressive the way she handled the French press, all in good clear French - another bit of good preparation. All in all an outstanding campaign, well managed, well executed. No hype, just conservative and effective. Read it and weep Pete Goss.

From Ed Montesi,
Kingfisher, a brilliant design? Obviously a good compromise between off-wind and on-wind sailing. Still to be answered over the net is proof that the board actually hit an object (container) or was the loud noise caused by the normally rapid, catastrophic failure of the carbon fibre due to the breakaway feature designed in the board to prevent fatal hull damage - keeping in mind there is very little to attenuate sound inside the hull. The abrupt decrease in speed could have been from the drag of the attached fragment before it finally tore free and/or the contact with the rudder on the same side. Also, I am curious which component in the headstay failed? The swaged or upset rod end? A threaded fitting? Was it fatigue? Extra movement? Wear? Is there a reason for withholding this information? Ellen surely would have won if her wind wand, lee board and headstay had not failed.

From Mike Cooke,
Tiger Trophy 2001 I'm not sure whether you were there or not, but Rutland's idea of race management had us sitting around for nearly 40 minutes after the first race on Saturday - waiting to start the second race. Even after all of that they managed to get a lot of the results wrong and even failing to notice about ten boats completely, having them down as not starting the race, let alone finishing it (including myself). I realise that I could not do a better job myself, but for one of the biggest handicap events of the year they could do a bit better.
Editor's note: We weren't there (busy with the Vendee) and Ian Walker wrote our report. But as they told me at Queen Mary, which had a smooth Bloody Mary this year, it only takes one tiny little thing to go wrong at a big event like that and the whole thing can unravel. But has anyone else noticed how the most popular answer to the profile question, 'What's the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas' is almost always 'Professional race management' or some version of the same answer? The question then is, are we prepared to pay for it?

From Mark B,
Will TP2 get built ? It would be lovely to see a second one built, but who will take the risk even with the lessons that have been learnt. However, the time is right as sailing is back on the main stage again with a lot of other sports. Whatever people say, both Philips and BT got good value for the money. After all it was less than a reasonable foreign footballer, who risks injury every time he goes on the pitch. No other boat has caught the public imagination in such a way. Personally I hope it happens. The only thing that worries me is the size and construction of the mast (ability to slow down) - having raced cats at a high level and knowing that when things like that start happening there is nowhere to hide.

From Pete,
Will TP2 get built ? I sincerely hope so. While on vacation in England from Canada we managed to include a visit to the Goss facility (in June) and see that magnificent machine. The concept alone is incredible and it drives straight to the heart of human endeavour and forward thinking. To retreat and give up is not the human way. We all learn more from failure than from instant success. Pete Goss and all those who worked on this should be put up as models of individuals who are thinking outside the box and have the ability to dream on grand scales. The current results of those boats competing in the Race best show that these extreme machines can perform and can be managed. The same can be said for those very unique individuals in the Vendee Globe and your own Ellen. What a spectacular debut. Without exceptional people like these the world would be a much gloomier and duller place to live. Pete - just do it.
ps This is a great site. Keep up the good work.

Clark Thompson,
Will TP2 get built ? Until now I have been all for Team Philips, and I have not doubted the concept or the leadership. But if Pete Goss actually thinks that design concept will get him to 60 knots, he absolutely has another think coming. The forces resisting his forward motion will more than double at that speed, and I feel certain his yacht's designer would not agree with this statement. I hope he made that rash statement in jest, otherwise this is fair evidence that he, and anyone that would go with him are quite mad.

From J Harms,
Would you pay a boat tax? VAT in the 70's dealt a savage blow to the domestic small boating industry, and it has taken a long time to recover. We need some way of discouraging idiots from unsafe practices on the water (a power boat speared through the start line at the Merlin Open at Thorpe Bay last year) and for going afloat in such a manner that they jeopardise the safety of themselves and the emergency services. A tax could be used in this way, but it is very unlikely. If it were to be imposed it would have to be related to the boat value to be fair, but on the whole it seems a proposal strewn with pitfalls which could be very damaging.

From N.R Crook,
Would you pay a boat tax? Of course I would pay a boat tax - but after the Chancellor has levied a caravan tax, an exercise machine tax, a bicycle tax, a personal lifestyle tax etc, etc. I hope this rumour is a journalistic ruse!