From the Feedback - 3/02/01

A solid programme (GBR Challenge for the America's Cup)? There is the best of British talent in the squad, no question. I think, however, we cannot kid ourselves that any real chance of winning the mug can only happen at the third or fourth attempt. I imagine that is the plan. Good to see that a syndicate has committed and the best of British to them!

From N Hurst,
The right thing to do and the right way to do it? Yes - it is definitely the right thing to do. Whether it's also the right way, only time will tell. Being realistic, we've been out of the America's Cup for so long that we're not going to be competitive first time out. A comparison can be made with Formula 1 motor racing and the Ford/Jaguar team. I guess that going all out with a two boat campaign this time would not be a good use of resources. Managing expectations and keeping the sponsors happy must be a priority so that the necessary $50m can be raised for a two-boat campaign next time around. UK sailing would be not benefited in the long term by doing one campaign then going away to lick our wounds again for another 15 years. If Australia and New Zealand have the vision and will to compete at this level with their (comparatively) tiny economies, then surely we can too.

From Paul Brown,
A solid programme? Looks a good project to me. A good budget to start with, a quality team and excellent boats. This has really cheered up my day and I'm sure many other UK sailors too - this is something really exciting to look forward to and build on for the future. I just hope they all get the full support of the UK public and sailing fraternity. Looks like UK sailing is going from strength to strength.

From Stephen White,
Anyone want to lend Australia a boat? The view from an Antipodean - the Admiral's Cup joins the America's Cup with Australian challenges conspicuous in their absence. It is unfortunate that an Australian team is unlikely but there are a number of contributors. Some are disillusionment with the event and a lack of success in recent years, combined with perceived weakness in the balance of the team and the cost of mounting a campaign from such a distance - all are discouraging. A further factor could be a drain of yachting support due to resources poured into the Olympic Games and youth programs that have left little for anything else.

Australian Farr 40 owners must be focused elsewhere - a UK skipper on being nominated to the Admiral's Cup would be swooning and proud - maybe the Farr 40 Worlds, the Kenwood Cup or local events are the source of their ambition. Perhaps some perspective can be gained by considering that the Southern Cross Cup - the South Pacific equivalent of the Admiral's Cup - has seen little if any support from outside that region over the last ten years.

Perhaps investment from outside the Farr 40 class in Australia may see a team at the starting line in July? Alternatively a New Zealand skipper may be interested in chartering a Farr 40, gather some Team New Zealand resources and form an Antipodean challenge? How much would a Farr 40 charter cost? That clearly depends on the sail factor but it looks the only remaining option for an Australian Farr 40 and an Admiral's Cup team. This particular Australian would be overjoyed to be a part of the team. Should that not eventuate then as a UK national, the opportunity to win the Admiral's Cup for England would be fantastic.