VOR FU

A chance for you to mouth off to the sailing world on the front page of Sailing Anarchy. Send your rants, editorials or observations to The Ed.

With reference to the Adrienne Cahalan story. She's better off out of it. The worst is confirmed. The VOR and the boats entered therein are only to be sailed by butch blokes who can put up with the hard work and extreme conditions offered by these "state of the art" racing machines. Will us men never learn? The whole strategic approach of the organizers and sponsors of this race must be questioned. They are polarizing and alienating a good proportion of the sailing community because they have let the VOR become like Formula 1 - a stupid game played by men who should know better. Were Volvo duped? Who is making out of this charade? Volvo surely won't come back for more after this is over, unless they want to promote trucks, or heavy lifting gear. Ask why the boats are so "macho"? Ask how it can be sensible to ride across oceans on machines that are almost permanently underwater?

Look at the huge and graceful catamaran Orange 2 and the speed difference, look at the freeboard and the consideration for the helmsmen and crew whilst operating. Look at the budget too, and there are still plenty of risks. Ask not why women aren't able to compete, but why they should even want to bother. I know Ellen Macarthur is not a crew player- but, male or female, I don't see her wanting to play this game - she's much too clever! It's a different sort of teamwork that makes hers such a unique talent.

Doesn't the VOR, in the current boats and format, belong to some outdated time when men beat each other over the head with sticks? Also, this can't be good for the future of sponsorship, which means more difficulty in getting sponsors for bona-fide events in the future. Real events need the sort of exposure that top brands can give. But the sponsors must not be ripped off. I can think of a few alternative sponsors for this race, perhaps TDS should run a competition for a more suitable one? My suggestions are Weatabix? Viagra? Gay Times? Women buy cars too, duh! How many women compete in the Sydney Hobart? Maybe the thought of getting away from the wife and kids is what drives the men to do these things. Maybe the wives and kids are better off without men like that anyway? Finally. Bring on topless, women only, round the world races I say! Then us blokes get what we really want.

Please don't publish my name, my intentions are to trigger thought, not outrage. Cheers.

12/20/05