From the Feedback - 27/1/01

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 Jerry W,
Has the RYA`s approach to youth training struck the right balance?
There is no doubt that Mark Littlejohn is right. If there is an increasing focus on an elite few, we will wake up one morning and be faced with the professional side of the sport on one side and the amateur side on the other and a massive gap between the two. It is important that our governing bodies work to ensure that the two sides to our sport sit happily together and that the opportunities are there to step from one side to the other. The class associations are ideally placed to help ensure that the sport at the grass roots level is healthy, but just so long as they are able to do so. The RS Association is working to put in place a quality-training program and would welcome the RYA's support to emphasise the importance and benefit of association membership.

From Munge,
Has the RYA'sapproach to youth training struck the right ballance? I realise this expands the thread somewhat, but you could write many books on the reasons why Iain Percy won gold in Sydney - he is highly physically fit, intelligent, highly motivated, well-supported, both financially and by Dave Howlett etc etc. All of the books would indicate that Ian is a classic example of what you need to be to win. One of the most pleasing results from the last games was Luca Devoti's silver medal in the Finn class, as an old ex-Finn sailor, this was great. However, if you were to make a comparison of Ian v Luca you would find many differences. Both guys are, however, winners and it is vital that the RYA recognise that winners come in many shapes and forms. The only single common feature is the desire to win and if the RYA can measure that, then they might be near the holy Grail.

From B.S.A,
The Race - 0930 - 25/1/01. I am just wondering where the wind direction, speed and boat direction speed come from in the reports? If Club Med is sailing at 83 degrees and the wind is coming from 276 at 20 knots, then she should be sailing a true wind angle of 166 degrees, at between 13 and 14 knots. With an apparent wind speed of 10 knots, her optimum jibe angle in 20 knots should be 137 twa and have her going around 26 knots, which you have her doing. So is she really sailing that low or is the wind direction really 30 degrees higher? I'm just curious as often I see the boats sailing to numbers I find very realistic but often I see them sailing much to deep for reality. (Editor's note: I'll make sure Mark Chisnell addresses this first thing on Monday morning! EG).

From Matt Critchely,
Will the others catch Ellen and Mich or is this the big break away? Every time there has been a major decision to be made, Ellen seems to have come out smelling of roses. To do this once or twice could be regarded as luck, but to have done this consistently throughout the Vendee has to be much more than just getting a lucky break. Too bad that she has not shown that she has the courage of her convictions - she always seems to worry about whether it was the right thing to do! To an extent, that is understandable but in my honest opinion, once a decision has been made, stick with it (as she has done) and then put it behind you without worrying about the consequences. Yet again, she has come out on top and I have every confidence that she will negotiate the Doldrums in an equally competent and professional manner. My money is on her to take the top place by the end.

From Ed Montesi,
Is Lewis right to try and race Team Adventure with 10 people? What caused the "crash stop"? Was it the flat vertical front surfaces of the cross beams? If so, the same thing is going to happen again and I don't blame anybody for jumping ship if the boat and crew are to be subjected to that abusive punishment. I remember sailing on the old pink "Financial Times", a 1970's trimaran, that had the same problem -- flat front face. It would get up to speed, get out of phase with the waves and then dive in the front of one until the flat front of the crossbeam buried and stopped the boat dead. This is an obvious design flaw that could have been easily remedied by sharpening the front edge and giving it a little up-angle to give it a little lift. You can't expect to win or make the podium if the boat can't sail to its maximum potential. All you can do is hope that attrition takes the rest of the fleet. Very bad for morale. But, hey, I'd love to be out there just for the experience and the fun of sailing one of those things. I'd surely wear a crash helmet.

From Stephen White,
How will illbruck cope with the Volvo and then the America`s Cup? I'm all for it and would love to break the shackles to my office and join such a racing team. The illbruck Challenge team have taken the lead and made a great step in yacht racing. As yachting becomes more professional, such teams and campaigns should become more prevalent. With improvements in coverage via the internet and gradual increase in television coverage, sponsors and investors are now getting more from their investment in yacht racing and can therefore justify such full-time support. The more professional and committed teams become the better for our sport.