Your feedback

From P Heller, Australia
Do you have your own observations to add to the guide? Sydney is an extremely busy harbour, and we take our racing seriously. On any given Saturday or Sunday during the season expect to see 18 footers, 16 footers, 12 footer skiffs along with 49ers, 29ers, Tasars, Lasers,and a host of other dinghies and skiffs (NS14, MG14, B14 etc) Etchells, plus a wide array of keelers from any number of clubs along the harbour battling for their own glory.

None of them will give way to your race as they are racing too, so don't expect any favours. However the number one rule to remember is that the public ferries are NOT required to give way and generally don't. Tankers and freighters are - but one should remain realistic! Good luck, watch the swell, and mind the sharks!

From Peter Johnson
Tyco's disqualification from the Sydney-Hobart race. Disqualification while at sea racing. It is quite astonishing, not to say highhanded, that a race committee disqualifies a yacht which is at sea during an ocean race. The code of the sea, natural justice and perhaps even the rules of racing demand that the competitor is given the opportunity to speak before any decision is reached.

From Kos Powerup, Australia
What do you make of this?The boat I was sailing on in last years Hobart was disqualified for the same reason. Rules are rules and you break them you must be disqualified. We had satellite tracking onboard and had been relayed in and the boat was in good shape but we could not contact the radio relay vessel on the prescribe frequency. Disqualified.

But if the rule is not practical then an alternative should be found. It is very hard to keep radios dry in small boats in rough seas. With the progress in satellite phone and the lowering of cost why don't all boats carry a satellite phone in waterproof bags along with standard radios? Each competitor has all the phone number for all boats and emergency services. Then race control can be pro active and ring the yachts in question before they are disqualified. We are in the 21st century!!

From Jim Edwards.
Xmas thanks. A Christmas name check for all raceboat owners? There's no doubt that the single most important force that propels our sport is the guys who buy the boats. Without owners, there is no game, certainly not on any scale. One of the more interesting aspects of racing sailboats (and one that is completely lost on non-racers) is the fact that owners spend stacks of their own money on a game that offers zero return on the investment.

Much money and time are given to an endeavour that really can only offer a couple of things in return, only one of which is tangible, that being the pickle dish if you are fortunate enough to earn one. I think we all and owners most importantly, play this game for the intangibles: the competition, the sense of accomplishment and ultimately, the unmatched high of administering an ass kicking on the racecourse.

Oh sure, there's the fun, camaraderie, drinking, etc., but really it is all in search of The Win that keeps most of us coming back time after time, like rats in the lab pushing the button for cocaine instead of food. Theory has it that those rats will continue to push the coke button until they die. Sound familiar?

It is my estimation that unless an owner receives satisfaction on the water, he or she will simply stop playing the game. Granted, different owners have different goals, but for most the goal is winning. I'm always impressed when owners play this sport well and this seems an appropriate time of year to recognize that and say thanks for providing the rest of us with our fix too. Good on y'all and keep it up (and oh yeah, can we please go to Key West also?.?!).

.................................................................................

Anyone can join in with our From the Feedback features, all you have to do is click on the blue question link at the bottom of each article, or hit the My Feedback button at the top of every page.

Each contribution may be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. The opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madfor sport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

Editor's plea. If you write to us and you want to see your thoughts in print, then please include your full name and where you come from on your e-mail. Anonymous contributions will not be published.