From the feedback - 23/04/01

Each contribution may be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. The opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madfor sport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

Editor's plea. If you write to us, as hundreds of you do every week, and you want to see your thoughts in print, then please include your full name on your e-mail. Anonymous contributions will not be published.

From Simon Deeley
Should more checks be made of qualifiers? As an aspiring Mini sailor myself, this article is of obvious interest. What it ponts out to me is that it does seem that some people are maybe taking the Mini a little lightly. Let's not forget that as soon as the race kicks off you're straight into the Biscay - not a nice place for a 21ft boat. When you actually consider the boats themselves they are in fact more over-powered than an open 60, again another thing not to take lightly. I would not like to pass judgement on the sailors involved in this article, as you don't have to be on your own in a Mini to get into trouble. In my view, yes, competence has got to be thoroughly tested, and more stringent qualification is probably needed. It also raises the whole communications question in my mind on Minis also. Apart from what I belive to be a mistake, in sending the fleet out into an obvious approaching gale in 1999, would there have been as many problems as there were if boats were in regular, modern contact ( how small are Inmarsat D+ these days?). Further to this point there must also be stricter boat tests, power is an obvious area that needs more investigation. Finally, when it comes to the race itself, why not use an idea THE RACE had, of having rescue vessels around the Bay of Biscay during the race? Not only is this more beneficial from a safety point of view, but with a fleet of 55 boats, you could even get some of them on telly during the race - now there is an idea. All in all I think the one thing holding the class back in all areas, not least of all safety, is the "amateur status" it appears to have, pro communications on pro boats = pro sailors! Now if pro sailors come unstuck then you know there is not much else you can do.

From Andrew Beynon
RS 300 coming good? I've been sailing my 300 for two years now and I feel it has helped me improve my sailing more in those two years than nine years of sailing a Laser did. And it's not just the amazing performance and the close racing that I enjoy, it's also the friendliness of the class. As a group I think we get on really well, we always discuss our ideas for going faster whether we're at an open meeting or chatting away on the mailing list. We all try to help each other out because we all want a big competitive fleet. So if you're bored of your Laser and fancy something more interesting, get an RS 300.

From Ryan Visser
Are you an RS 200 junkie? This boat is such an amazing boat to sail. I've sailed for 12 years since the age of five in many different boats, from high performance boats like the Laser 5000 and Hobie tiger to racing Radials at national and European Level. The RS 200 is the most challenging, exciting and tactical boat I have ever sailed. Highly recomended.

From Duncan W
The next British sailing heroes or too little too late? I don't think you can comment "too little too late" as it's an exceptionally positive step that we have got as far as we have already. The simple fact that this is the first British entry in 16 or so years means, that of course it is going to be harder to generate corporate interest than USA or NZ syndicates and as a result we are going to be coming to the party slightly later than other syndicates. However, with the performance of our Olympic team and the injection from Peter Harrision it should greatly help encourage prospective backers. Obviously we have to look to the long term objectives and not "are GBR challenge just a comical late entry". I don't for one moment believe that we are and I strongly believe we have some exceptional talent in the team and that we are laying the foundations for a strong challenge next time around. Good luck to all involved.

From Matt Critchley
What do you think of the `buddy` system? What a great idea - it gives an incentive to those who would otherwise not be in the running for prizes especially in large (100 + boat) fleets. Too bad that the RS Class Association (with sponsorship from GUL) did exactly the same thing at 1999 and 2000 Nationals. It's good to know that, yet again, the UK RS Class Association leads the way for others to follow.

More on page two.....