From the Feedback - 16th November

The ISAF decisions have been bothering our feedback writers

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. Tell us what you think, and don't feel you have to wait for us or someone else to get around to a topic. If something is steaming you up in your class, club or pub - let us know.
We'll be publishing the choicest moments from the stuff you send us - but each contribution may or may not be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. And of course, as they so famously say at the start of anything like this, the opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madforsport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

From Ian Smith

I am now on my second RS200, sailing with either of my two daughters as crew (they were the ones who persuaded me to buy the boat). This is a great boat even on the smaller inland ponds, and one which, in our opinion, should replace the Hobie 405 as a youth boat. Although it doesn't have a trapeze it does give youngsters asymmetric experience at clubs where asymmetric trapeze boats like the 405 are not an option. Contrary to your tester's opinions you do need to keep an eye on the boat's fittings and ropes if you use the boat hard - the blocks wear out and the halyards let go without warning, so a regular check over is essential. The racing circuits are excellent as is the friendly spirit within the class. The Northern scene is also going from strength to strength as the number of boats in the area increases. We have a full series of events planned for the 2001 season around the North.

From ollyrock

Match racing is the ultimate elitist minority sport, with more officials than players. Women's Match Racing must have a following equal to striped snail racing. Pity they included the Europe - the Laser Radial would have been so much more accessible.

From Mark Dolan

I understand how and why the ISAF made their decisions. The Star is easily my favourite boat in the world. However, the Soling was without a doubt the pinnacle of sailing achievement. It was the only boat offering a three man option and the only boat with a spinnaker. To have to qualify in Fleet racing and win in Match Racing was truly a formula to determine the absolute best in the world of sailing. With all the fuss and hype around the world about the changing face of sport, why is it not possible to add another Olympic Class? When the IOC demanded more women, why did they not just add another class to accommodate their decision? Why do they have to penalise a whole group of sailors that cannot and will not be able to compete in another class?

From Chris Chandler

The process taken to determine the events and boats at the Olympics sounds very logical, but at the end of the day it is the wrong result. One always ends up with an uneasy feeling after these ISAF meetings; that all is not above board and that there are a lot of vested interests involved. How can they continue to support antiquated, expensive classes like the Star and Finn? There is something very wrong and I think it is time the whole process came in for some very close scrutiny.

From Martin

Having sailed the Tornado for a season and the Tornado Sport for a blast, I can see why ISAF decided to stay with an excellent hull shape and chose a monster of a rig. I think some members of the class association worldwide are wondering what hit them, when they have just had a vote on this subject. I also hope that the other boats that went to the trials earlier in the year don't disappear, as some of them looked very sexy.

From S Ejnarsson

I´ve sailed the Yngling and it's a beautiful boat and so on, but why didn't they give the women a modern and high tech boat like the Viper or the Melges 24? That would have been a boost for women's sailing. And another thing is that they removed the Soling from the Olympic programme and took on the Yngling - which is considered to be the stepping stone to the Soling. That's strange.

Editor's note: I think it's safe to say that you're not the only one with these thoughts. The decision for the Yngling must be looked at again - the boat should be a modern, quick, high righting moment, two or three-person keelboat with an asymmetric, like the K6.