From the Feedback - 5/01/2001

From SD, Cashcade,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? You were right to put in your disclaimers at the start of writing your article. I represent www.getminted.com, the second sponsor of the boat, and I know both Tony Bullimore , the crew and the other sponsors well. Unlike you I was in Barcelona for the start. Having followed the progress of Bullimore there is surely only one conclusion to be drawn - he has done more for British sailing than most. His late funding has made it even more impressive that the campaign has started, and most of his problems in Barcelona were crew problems caused by differing personalities. It's true that these problems could have been sorted out with more time, and it is certainly ambitious to sail in a race with a crew that has not sailed together before, but rather than knocking his efforts, why not support this project and wish him well?

From Richard Butler,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? Spot on Mark. Pete Goss 'Dared to dream' and despite what happened still has credibility with the British public. He was pushing the limits of technology, maybe a bit too far. I wouldn't sail with Tony Bullimore even if I was paid (well, I suppose there is a price for anything!). The programme with Lenny Henry crossing the Atlantic said it all. Not good for UK sailing at all.

From Scott Ellis,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts? As one of the journalists recently "taken hostage" by Tony Bullimore when we ended up in Lisbon - after what was supposed to be a day's sailing from Bristol to Falmouth - I guess I have something of an insight into Team Legato. This is a high profile race, the first of its kind, a new millennium etc, so the urge to be on the start line is strong - and with the novelty of this race presumably it's made finding a sponsor easier (even if they come late - better than not at all).

Tony Bullimore is an achiever, if he makes up his mind he's going to do something, then not to do so is failure - even if there may be good reasons not to. I'm sure he was aware of the options. As for the image of British sailing, I'm not sure Tony Bullimore feels he owes the British sailing scene an awful lot. He describes himself as a loner, he'll just be glad to back at sea with a goal to aim for. Being the underdog is what "Captain Bulldog" (his wife's opinion) is all about.

Internal politics on the boat? There was always going to be. There's not much space in those two hulls and the central "god-pod" for more than one personality, and Tony Bullimore booked his space a long time ago. There may be better ways to select who represents Britain in any sailing race - but I'm sure Tony Bullimore is an inspiration to the wider public who might now be taking an interest in the sport. And anyway, we're British. I've no doubt we invented sailing so that every other nation can beat us at it.

From David Greening,
What do you think of Tony Bullimore`s efforts?Totally agree with your comments, we should be grateful for your site (and your competitors!) for decent coverage of our sport, if we were to depend on newspapers, which used to do our sport proud, we might think the only event going was the Times Clipper challenge - without any disrespect to them. Ellen MacArthur and the Vendee Globe, and even the BT Global Challenge, must rank as far greater sporting achievements. I must add that at the beginning of the Vendee, I was somewhat cynical that Ellen MacArthur may not have achieved the same level of media coverage - and hence the sponsorship - had she been a man. Now I cannot but admire her courage and achievements.

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