Your feedback......

From Andrew Banks
What do you think about outside assistance? I think the 'controversy' surrounding SEB and djuice's replacement of their headboards is something of a none issue. In the Whitbread there was a long history of boats stopping to pick up spares when bits broke. When this happens, boats are generally required to divert from their best course to pick up the relevant spare. Hardly an 'advantageous' position to be in, even if it does put you back on a slightly more level playing field. Also I'd like to know what is 'Seamanlike' about sailing on with broken/bodged equipment when you can replace it. This isn't the Vendee Globe, what's the big deal about taking unscheduled stops?

From B Williams
What do you think about outside assistance? Safety at sea is a topic too easily discussed behind the comfort of a desk. There is real danger to continually send a crew member up the mast. Fast boats require lightweight, more fragile, gear. Who really wants to see the heaviest, slowest boat win a race just because they didn't break?

From Ken Lewis,Seattle
What do you think about outside assistance? So, on the road today I gave this question some thought. I can see the race committee's point of view, not much point in penalizing boats NOW when it's hard to get teams in anyway. And then the boats are stripped out to the point of cutting handles off the crews toothbrushes. But It's still wrong and should be seriously be addressed before the next race. Boats should carry spares for all occasions. Remember the early Whitbreads when boats carried enough for crews to build splints for booms. Got to be better than "We'll have one dropped off at the next island"

From Ralph Hoglund, Sweden
Is Assa the fastest of the Farr boats? Yes, not only of the Farr boats but in the race in general based on the fact that Magnus Olsson is among the crew! I think nobody else has the same capability to strengthen the crews spirit as he does and therefore make the crew work more efficiently and in a good mood. I have been working back in the 70's with Magnus in Stockholm, Sweden and know a little about his advantages. Maybe the boat is faster than the other due to slight construction difference, but that is another question I can not answer.

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