Reader Rant Screwed? RORC Champions, Puma Logic are denied a place in the British team by the RYA selectors. After the elation of the past couple of days we have received bad news today. Despite coming second in the British trials for the Commodores' Cup the RYA selectors have decided that the team aboard Puma Logic are 'not good enough to represent Great Britain' and have decided to select Maverick 2 and Mankie who came 3rd and 4th in the trials respectively. The team are absolutely devastated after putting so much effort into the offshore race last weekend. Everyone pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits knowing that if they could beat Mankie and Maverick they would come 2nd in the trials, which should be good enough to secure a place in the British team. The team did this in convincing style. We also thought that winning the RORC championships and the Fastnet Race in class last year would definitely go in our favour. Obviously at Sailing Logic we cannot understand why boats that we have beaten fair and square should be selected over and above Puma Logic. Sailing Logic director, Philippe Falle is completely appalled by the RYA's behaviour and comments, 'I heard the news third hand from other people as to who had been selected for the British team. The RYA would not give us any information. When we did finally get hold of them they had the audacity to say we had not even come second in the trials. Later in the conversation they admitted that we had but that the points were very close. The whole selections have been a complete shambles from start to finish. It is hardly surprising that the Commodores' Cup is getting so little British interest. I will certainly never support the RYA in anyway whatsoever in the future especially when they act in a prejudiced way like this. I feel that months of hard work and huge amounts of investment have now been wasted by the decision.' Crew member Sara Stanton concludes 'Unbelievable....... I can't believe they don't even have the balls to tell us' It is very sad we have to bring all our supporters this bad news. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the campaign. Your support has been superb and so greatly appreciated. We are just sorry that we were unable to reward you all by gaining selection. What an amazing campaign it has been. Allie Smith
Managing 05/18/06 |