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From Andrew Banks
Has Steve Fossett got bored of sailing? I'd be rather surprised if Steve Fossett gets a quick sale for Playstation, given that Club Med is already on the market for less. The concept never looked right for transoceanic record breaking, despite numerous attempts, the boat consistently failed to break a transatlantic record set over a decade ago, by a boat 25% shorter, and got into serious strife in the process. Even after the boat was lengthened to reduce the risk of pitch-poling, the boat looked clumsy, overpowered and unforgiving compared to the functional elegance of the Ollier boats.

If Fossett seems to have lost interest in Playstation as a record-breaking tool, one can hardly feel surprised. Almost three years have passed since Playstation's launch and as far as I know, the only record that the boat has broken is the Miami-Bermuda one; no doubt an achievement in itself, but seemingly not one that many big multihull sailors aspire to. If you look at it from a marketing point of view, Sony would probably been better off sponsoring Pete Goss, in spite of what happened to his boat - at least it caught the public's imagination. It remains to be seen whether the boat can add some significant weight to it's CV, prior to the withdrawal of Sony's sponsorship in September; but at the moment you have to wonder who will be prepared to stump up the cash for a boat that has consistently failed to show any real 'form'.

Jim Champ
Can the Contender survive the RS bandwagon? As I understand it Bob Miller (later Ben Lexcen's ) prototype was some 100lbs lighter than the current Contender minimum weight... Now that might be interesting! But erratic genius as Ben undoubtedly was, it seems unlikely that a boat that was based on early 60s 18 footer ideas can indefinitely keep going, even if the lack of a larger singlehanded development class than the Moth means that singlehander development seems to lag behind the two handers.

From Paul Bayliss
Can the Contender survive the RS bandwagon? It's not purely (or even primarily) about marketing! As an ex-Contender and RS600 sailor, I can say that they are very different boats to sail. The Contender has the advantages of large fleets internationally, as befits a class that has been around 30 years. However, the Contender is heavy and the boom very low. I am not saying that either boat is better, simply that one is of much more modern design than the other. How many people still drive around in Ford Cortinas? And I doubt that if you designed the 600 again today that you would end up with exactly the same result either!

From Ian Renilson
Can the Contender survive the RS bandwagon? Yes - it's as simple as that! The Contender is a truly International class with good close racing throughout the world. The boats last well and second hand boats are well priced yet still competitive - and they are always in demand. That means that the Contender offers a lot of fun all around the World at a reasonable cost. There's nothing to beat it - yet! When there is a better alternative I'll have it - but I'm still Contendering!

From Andrew Troup
Are Team New Zealand still the best? It seems likely TNZ will be significantly better than last time. The people who stayed presumably did so because they really want to be there, which must strengthen the team. Hiring Pace was a real scoop, and Tom's claim of a 'self managing team' does not seem to be a euphemism for people who won't take direction, rather a plaudit for a group who have a clear sense of common purpose. The interesting thing, which is a lot more difficult to answer, is, how good will the others be? Team NZ will be praying the racing will not be close, but a lot of Kiwis are expecting the competition to be strong enough this time to make it VERY interesting.

From John Greenwood
Bart on track for 2004? Well on track. 2004 is a long way off for Bart and in my opinion he should aim to be in the top three in the Gold Cup (worlds) this year and win next year. Having done that he can then focus on a 20 month programme to prepare for the Games having truly established himself as a dominant player in the class. Bart's result is a credit to himself, his coach, the RYA/World Class system and the UK Finn Class. The fact that Bart came into the Finn at the Olympic trials last year, borrowed a boat and has been able to put himself in a position to win a major championship, speaks volumes. The fact also that Chris Brittle, under the same regime, is now European Junior champion after being in the Class for less time than Bart, proves the point that talent alone is not enough. Well done to Chris, Bart and all the supporting team. This surely makes the Finn Class the most successful sailing dinghy class in the UK. Tell me any other International or Olympic Class that in the last 36 months has won the European Championship (and Bart's second), Junior European Championship twice (two different guys) , World Junior Championship,World Masters Championship,Senior Masters World Championship and..... an Olympic Gold Medal. Get a life.....Get a Finn.