Potter

Craig has been pretty close with Phillip Sohman and also with the Ningbo province, both of whom have put small amounts into sailing in the past.

Who is organising the Naval Group charter/team? Just asking out of interest, as I put a bid in for the work, but being Northern Hemisphere based they (sensibly) did not pick us.

Especially as it will be his tenth (?) boat...

Better than leaving it out there at least.

VOR, Figaro and other Offshore Races definitely have drug testing by WADA. More to the point, having worked in VG and VOR teams I have never heard ofany sort of performance enhancing programmes. The people (especially RMB) who stated that they think the lows would outweigh the highs are correct, as far as i am concerned. I dont personally know of any drug that keeps the user on a performance high continuously for a week with no down sides... But then I have never bothered to look into it. There are still more gains to be found from having the right autopilot and polars imho. Additionally, if I am proved wrong and there is a program, then they should be banned from sailing forever.

I think it is more a case of giving each crew member a title for the benefit of the press, who always ask. Pretty sure Dee is not just going to be doing the paperwork all the way to Hobart. Stacey started putting this campaign together during the last VOR. Those on here who have put something like this together know how much time and energy it takes, so props to her for getting it done. Many try and do not even get to the start line! I think I am right in saying that most of the crew prefer mixed teams, but all are friends and want to do the race. So why not?

Not a fan off the all female thing, or the boat?

The danger is crying wolf. The more false starts the slower the response to a real alert. Auto switches are not reliable enough yet.

2008

Pretty sure they would receive a harsh penalty. Brian Thompson received a 6 hr penalty for his shore crew departing the boat 1 minute later than allowed.

Well, I am looking forward to losing my Hobart virginity this year. Have done a number of Fastnets(5) and Middle Sea Races(2), and a Newport-Bermuda, I don't think people hold the S2H in any higher regard than the others with regards to racing, but they certainly do with regards to conditions. The last MSR I did had proper boat breaking conditions, but I guess the big difference is that there is always a safe haven in close reach. A few of the Fastnets have had gnarly conditions, but nothing horrendous; the N-B was tedious, but I have been across the Gulf Stream in totally different conditions that meant we were just protecting the boat and crew. To me, it is still an iconic event, and I do understand the arguments around qualification. Perhaps if you have completed before (same boat, no significant changes, say 50% of the crew) you should get a pass on qualifying? Certainly I feel that entries should be encouraged and helped, but don't want to see a return to all and sundry setting out and putting the Rescue Services at risk. By the way, do you have something similar to the RNLI in Oz? Or a full time employed service? Planning never to need, but genuinely curious.

Not as far as I am aware, the only class I know about for 100% is the GC32, and they have no contract with the builder that allows for a payment to WS.

The L30 was one of a number of boats put forward when WS put it out to tender for an Offshore World Championship, when there was not going to be an Olympic event. The tender was public knowledge. Since then it has been in Aarhus for the World Championships and Lorient during the YRF. It has been test sailed by sailors such as Charles Caudrelier, Eric Peron, Abby Ehler, Cecille Legatte, Torben Grael, Conrad Humphreys and others. They have fed back a few changes, but generally feel it is a boat that fits the job asked of it. More to the point the manufacturer is willing to be involved. I have to say that Sailing Illustrated is an appalling attempt at journalism. It has such an axe to grind against the management of World Sailing that it blatantly fits the facts to suits its needs. It is full of inuendo and half truths, and Tom Ehman keeps stealing info from other sites and claiming them as 'you heard it here first', he has been called out for taking from these forums before now! Now, I don't understand the machinations or requirements for choosing a Class for the Olympics, but as a separate event I think an Offshore Worlds in One Design could be quite cool.

A friend (yachting journo) posted something on Facefuck.

Sounds like Koji is getting a new IMOCA as well. Not sure he will be competitive, but great to see new boats from outside of France.