Your Feedback

What did you think of Fed Week? I took part in the Medium asymmetric division with my Laser 4000 at Fed Week. I had a fantastic week. The club provided an environment which could not be faulted. The racing was so well organised. Having sailed at many National Championships, Fed Week is streets ahead with respect to all aspects of race management. With Greg Wells now in charge, the racing should be even better.

Fed Week is a very under-rated regatta. I believe if more people knew what Fed Week was about they would make it an annual date for their diary. The actual total of entries this year was 396. Not bad! I would like to invite more people to compete in Fed Week next year especially as the new club house will be up and running. Fed Week offers sailing for everyone and really good fun atmospheres. Especially the HUGE party on Thursday night which is fast becoming legendary. I hope that more people will learn about this event and turn up for some fantastic friendly and competitive racing.

Ken Lewis
Good signs for the GBR Challenge team? EXCELLENT SIGNS! Great experience for the guys, seeing how the other teams work and knowing that they can compete with them. Let's not pretend that the next series is against NZ for "the" cup though, it's a long way to Auckland. (I'm sure the tabloids think it's a lock!) The last leg loss must have been a heartbreaker and I'm sure that saying "It's a learning experience" won't help, But I feel pretty proud of them.

From Dave Belgibson
Good signs for the GBR Challenge team? As it seems Natasha Sturges' "defection" from Australia seems to be glossed over, I feel the issue of achieving the almighty result needs to be raised. I have no issue with Natasha earning whatever she can but what message does this send to the home grown talent both here in Australia and the UK that will surely suffer while "rock stars" are imported to achieve results. I have no issue with sailors moving between countries for events such as the America's Cup etc which allows the person to earn a living as this type of event has surpassed the nationalistic endeavour long ago. But when so called loyalists move to compete in events like the Olympic Games it makes me a little disgusted.

The numerous 49' crews who didn't beat Chris Nicholson for the Australian 49 spot come to mind. I am sure the thought to jump ship to another country to compete in the Olympics did cross some of those competitors minds. I guess it is a sign of the times in sailing (like other sports) that every country (Australia included) choose to house these "sport's stars" who when the competition is a little hot or most likely, the tax payers funds run a little low, jump ship for greener pastures. I hope for the future of sailing both in the UK and the rest of the world that the owners of multiple country passports, are not allowed to abuse the use of taxpayer's money at the expense of loyal subjects who through thick or thin continue to support their original country of choice.

From Sam Nedeau
Which boat would you most like to have sailed on? Anyone of them, but as a sentimental favourite, Intrepid. My family purchased 12 Metre USA 22 in 1983 from a Canadian syndicate that was using her as trial horse. We converted her for Great Lakes Sailing and broke nearly everything on the grand old lady. Rig, booms, rudders... you name it, she just started to explode whenever the wind went above 22 knots. (It did not help that we went up on the Rig) Nevertheless, she was a wonderful boat to sail and we had a number of great match races against Heritage, which had been totally converted. We even trial horsed with the Heart of America Syndicate when they were doing some local fund raising. Nothing but good memories, though time does help one forget trying to fold the Dacron main when it was wet, or the hard hats the jib trimmers were required to wear due to the danger of being on the leeward side. I believe the only remaining evidence of our refit is the teak in the cockpit.

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