Volvo feedback

From Colin Lucas
How do you rate News Corp? Newscorp are the going to be the quiet achievers of the Volvo RTW and will push Illbruck. They have a crew that has vast experience in offshore, and AC racing and have a solid sponsor. Given the nature of the event in which time is not an issue and every one starts a new leg from scratch (unless you finish a leg late!) I believe Newscorp will consistently appear on the podium and that there will be a battle royal with illbruck for the overall race win. I'm looking forward to being on the water when they come in here in Auckland as I think the fleet will all finish within minutes! As recall last race had a spread of about 5 hours for all boats to finish.

From Sandy
Why do you think they were last? If, as Peter Bentley says, the VOR is at the pinnacle of it's sport then I was amazed at the lack-lustre response it received on arrival in Cape Town. Indeed most people were heard to say "We saw the BT race in so when is the Whitbread arriving?". Let's face it, most hackneyed old British sailing journalists cannot face the fact that this race, both as a British event, and as the worlds "premier" race is dead. The only people in the media centre were UK media and 1 American - where was the world's media? This doesn't detract from the professionalism of the crews or the girls - this experience will go some way to rectifying the criticisms Bentley raised. But let's focus on the reality, the VOR will never return to these shores and will never race in this format again but then again...who cares?

From Ray Wulff
Why do you think they were last? This article is complete bunk. The reason they finished last is because the best women sailors in the world would rather compete side by side on the same boat with the best SAILORS (Read: Men and Women) then on a "All Girls Boat." There are several incredibly experienced women sailors who have competed at the highest level of sailing and cringe at the thought of racing on an all women boat. Ask Ellen Mac, Issabelle Autissier, Betsy Alison, Dawn Reily, or Shirley Robertson if they would rather sail on a all girl boat or a team of mixed men and women and I can guarantee where they'll go.

From Joe Randall, Australia
Why do you think they were last? In most sports women compete separately to men for obvious physical reasons. Fortunately, sailing been an extremely diverse sport, the design of many classes make it possible for women to compete on an equal basis. In many others this isn't possible for physical reasons. The Volvo boats and many ocean racing boats where the necessary experience is gained to be competitive in races such as the Volvo race, been examples. Stop blaming the system and sailors attitudes. Women Tennis players, soccer players etc. aren't trying to figure out why they can't play against men. Why are you?

I have no single handed experience however, I have sailed extensively on an Open 60 and presume that no matter how big and strong you are a single person can't man handle much on a open 60. Hence strength, although advantages is of less consequence. Conversely a Mini Transat boat doesn't require massive strength hence physical strength is no as critical. Having also sailed extensively on the Volvo boats I can assure you that strength and size is paramount.

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