Your feedback

What`s your view on this? If one falls asleep at the wheel and have an accident and 5-6 people die because of your negligence you get five years in prison. - Whereas it is OK to deliberately go to sleep at 25knots for up to an hour, probably taking you beyond the radar range when you were awake, if you hit some one while asleep and kill them why is it different from a car accident?

Sport has to comply with the law of the country not just the yacht racing rules or the collision at sea regulations. If you are sailing around the world none stop do you even leave the UK jurisdiction? Probably not. I am concerned that it is suggested total reliance can be placed upon electronics, yacht racing has a record electronics failing and most people have problems keeping their PC running for more than a few weeks at a time on their desk let alone at sea. The risk of sailing alone is slight; but the risk is about the same as falling asleep on the M6 and missing the armco by the roadside and landing on a railway line, causing a passing training to derail into a goods train coming the other way .

If enough boats are sailed around the seaone day an accident will happen. I am sure the RYA don't want to support single handed offshore sailing because if they do and there is an accident potentially they could be sued by the injured party. The chances of an injured party or the deceased's relatives winning are low, but see above - strange things do happen especially if you are litigating on behalf of small children who have lost their parents and they need financial support!

Jens Ewerling
What`s your view on this? I would like to add one aspect; racing boats being front-runners for the entire yachting industry. We still have a majority of production sailing boats, whose roots can be traced way back to the 70's and 80's IOR lead mine designs, or the IMS-designs of the 90's. If the VOR is supposed to remain the avantgarde, then an Open class is the only way to go and show the rest of the world how fast and efficient sailboats really can be sailed - with no rule restrictions. If this isn't done, we will see performance cruising boats becoming quicker than racing boats. Or purpose-built record-breakers ridiculing the so-called fleet-racers.

Katy Hill
What`s your view on this? The Race has already cornered the big multi market. That, coupled with the Multi circuit, is a fast emerging multi racing arena. The VO needs to maintain a distinct identity to maintain balance and variety in offshore racing. I think big Multihulls are the only way to go! Multi's and Monohulls both have their advantages. It is important to maintain that choice.

From Paul Grech
What`s your view on this? While it is a good idea of making boats over 100ft. In Malta an annual race the middle sea race is held every year and i really like the race when there are huge boats. The Volvo Ocean Race should be open to all types of boats. To solve the problem of the big difference in boat speed i would make a handicap system like what happens in some dinghy club races. This will make the race exciting and will get more publicity.

From Hal Stiles
What`s your view on this? Lead bellied money gobblers that draw several meters of water can barely stay ahead of a Hobie catamaran. Form stability generates spacious and practical boats. Multihulls offer thrilling performance at reasonable cost.

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