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Readers comments on the America's Cup, Kingfisher2 dismasting and RS boats.

From Ralf Plaenkers, Switzerland

Excellent job you did last night on the AC coverage. Great to be able to read every couple of minutes what's going on when there is no TV available. Even more impressive is the quick posting of photos. This rocks and it is why I love your site and will continue paying for the subscription.

A remark on your other articles. They are well written and give a highly informed--and still personal--perspective on the subject. However, at times they are a bit lengthy and a one or two-page summary (not a paragraph) would be really helpfull for those with limited time. I would really appreciate that.

Also, columns or single articles by knowledgable and "communicative" experts would be a nice feature, kind of in addition to your good interviews. Best examples are Paul Cayard's and Doug Peterson's columns in Seahorse.

Ralf, many thanks for your comments. Like anything, when people are putting in a huge amount of effort a pat on the back occasionaly does wonders. The lengthy articles are presented just on one page so the reader has the option to print it all off easily, The Weekend Papers is attempting to do just what you suggest, by using short extracts of the features.

We have had a very positive response to the Experts section, and you will find some interesting opionion lead articles coming out of that. Maybe one day we could afford Paul Cayard!

On Kingfisher's dismasting:

From Andrew Banks

Kingfisher 2's withdrawal from their Jules Verne attempt just goes to show how hard it is to even complete the course in the Jules Verne Trophy. Prior to The Race, Bruno Peyron was the only person to get around in one piece at the first attempt. The fact that five boats finished The Race (although only 2 of those didn't stop) seems to have bred complacency about their chances. Much of the sailing media seem to have taken it for granted that Ellen would not only beat the record set by Orange last winter, but would also out-sail De Kersauson and the crew of Geronimo.

Prior to the start, the media and the Offshore Challenges publicity machine would have us believe that Ellen was almost a sure thing for the trophy, and would comfortably have the measure of the most experienced sailor of large Catamarans in the world (Peyron), and a man who completed his first racing circumnavigation before Ellen was born (De Kersauson). This seemed to ignore the fact that Ellen was sailing a second/third hand boat and De Kersauson was sailing a boat custom built to his exact specifications, based on the experience of 5 circumnavigations (including 3 in large trimarans). Geronimo is a boat in which OdK had already sailed over 20,000 miles (including an aborted Jules Verne last winter), all the time looking for ways to improve the boat, while Ellen first stepped on K2 in late November, having previously had little or no experience of large catamarans.

In the event K2 was still being prepared while OdK departed on a weather system that slung-shot him to the equator and provided momentum into largely favourable conditions in the South Atlantic. When K2 did depart, the team was then further delayed by an embarrassing gear failure, and it took until halfway through their circumnavigation (Shortly before the mast came down) before they actually pulled level with Orange's time. Bear in mind that this was a boat that is over a tonne lighter than she was last winter, with lighter and more powerful sails built especially for the record attempt. The team have been quick to blame the weather encountered for their less than stellar progress, but on her attempt Orange was frequently in the wrong place at the wrong time, especially on their way down the Atlantic on the way out, and also for much of the Indian Ocean part of their attempt. All in all it adds up to a campaign that was looking some way short of impressive.

This assessment may seem harsh, but given the level of expectation that was generated by the media and various comments that came out of Offshore Challenges, it is merely their failure to deliver on these expectations that has caused this. Over-promising and Under-delivering have in the past been a trait of British sailing teams; the most notorious examples of this being the Rothmans and Silk Cut Whitbread programs. You would have thought such an apparently savvy organisation as Offshore Challenges would beware such an approach, but on the basis of what we have seen recently, apparently not.

Andrew, At The Daily Sail, we have been quite keen to point out that it's not just Ellen sailing around on her own on Kingfisher2. One of the strongest aspects of this challenge was the phenomally experienced crew that had signed up to sail the boat. Coupled with this was the fact the this cat was a proven concept, with thousands of miles under her belt, and had had an extensive refit. We think this expectation was justified. When you're pushing out updates on a daily basis when behind the record, it can appear that seeds of blame are being sown.

What we have ended up with is a fantastic racing challenge which is proving to be the ultimate test for some of the biggest names in offshore racing.

From Bob Houck, California

The rig probably started to fail soon after the start. I know they did many inspections, but that first storm was a whopper. Unfortunately, Sh*t happens. No one's fault, just sailing. I have been on a boat when we lost the rig and understand that "sunken" feeling. I will miss following the Kingfisher team around the world. Good Luck gang. Welcome to the world of underpowered cruising.

From Andrew Harrell. New Zealand

With regards to your route maps for various sailing events (currently JV). I believe they would be easier to view/understand with a different key.... if you could move away from boxes, circles, crosses etc and us say a 'K' for Kingfisher, 'G' for Geronimo, 'O' for orange etc, would be helpfull. Also on the route weather map for Geronimo, the black 'x' is often hard to find in the detail... perhaps a bolder line in a different colour could be used???

A couple of little things I know but these simple changes would speed up the time I spend on these pages and give me more time to explore the rest of your great site!

Andrew, Well it appears now that there are fewer icons on the map (they are supplied) which will make it easier...

On the America's Cup:

From Joan Schelling, California

I think all the delays are stall tactics on the part of NZ. Some people there are making money the longer they stall what im sure is their inevitable loss of the cup. I hope they do lose and the swiss make it more veiwer friendly.

On RS Classes:

David Lapes

The boats are all first class, the racing is competitive and fun. But the real clincher is the apres-voile. It's the whole package off the shelf - choose your model, take it home, rip off the shrinkwrap and go racing.

From Peter Halliwell

One of the most noticeable things is that all the fittings and features appear to be in the right place, and of the correct size and strength. This is a testament to the development RS carry out, and the skilled sailors who do the design and development work.

In addition suitable settings for everything are freely available, and class coaching is well organised.

Finally, having owned a 600 and a 700, and sailed an 800, they are enormous
fun to sail.

Have you got a comment to make? Email: feedback@thedailysail.com , we look forward to reading your opinion!