Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Now that the Prada Cup has ended, I would like to express my admiration for Ben Ainslie. His sportsmanship, fairplay and style stand out beyond his skills on the water. As I didn't know him at all before the cup (honestly I don't know him now either, but I have been watching many interviews), I wonder why so many people over this board has been insulting him. Can someone shed some light on this? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JALhazmat 1,612 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 this thread is going to go one way full of people that have never met the bloke but have decided from a story from a mate down the pub that he is the worst person in existence, prove me wrong:) 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strider470 2,142 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 One can't have anything but admiration for his immense sailing career. Hadn't he been so determined he wouldn't be the legend he is. The likes of Ben, Valentino Rossi, Marquez, &C all have a very strong character and personality. At the moment he is pissed off for having been soundly beaten and maybe he was not in the right mood to be the most gentle person in the world. Ognuno tira l'acqua al suo mulino. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
45Roller 374 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 4 minutes ago, JALhazmat said: this thread is going to go one way full of people that have never met the bloke but have decided from a story from a mate down the pub that he is the worst person in existence, prove me wrong:) This and the fact that the pubs are all fucking closed 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiji Bitter 1,972 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Just read the various threads I would suggest. That will enlighten you! No need for a Ben Basher thread, methinks. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 4 minutes ago, Fiji Bitter said: Just read the various threads I would suggest. That will enlighten you! No need for a Ben Basher thread, methinks. Hundreds pages, man! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiji Bitter 1,972 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 11 minutes ago, Dolphin65 said: Hundreds pages, man! If we would answer your question it will be hundreds more... Use the search function if you are time constrained. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mozzy Sails 953 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Ben Ainslie stole my lunch money. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 Tom! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 OT, Jal, I see that you live in Southampton....I have sailed over the area when I was 12 years old. I remember about the tide going so low that sailing boats would stick into the seabed! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EYESAILOR 1,653 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Outstanding sailor. Very together personality. Goal is to try and bring the AC to UK and he is devoting over a decade to that task. Admire him 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 Could it be the shit is being thrown only because he is smart and looks "posh" to the "anarchists", who definitely are not (exclusively) members of this board, but people who don't like rules, power, and manhood? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris UK 173 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Ben most likely got laid again last night........so that's 90% of SA posters pissed already......good luck to him I say. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liquid 645 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Haters are going to hate 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strider470 2,142 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 2 minutes ago, Liquid said: Haters are going to hate At least they will be confined in a controlled environment Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiji Bitter 1,972 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 12 minutes ago, Chris UK said: Ben most likely got laid again last night........so that's 90% of SA posters pissed already......good luck to him I say. By the nanny or his darling, asking for a friend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
36thLatitude 90 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Who cares, Ben didnt win f all in this sailing event. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris UK 173 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Whenever Ben comes up on screen my wife retells the story of how he "danced" with her at a ski lodge.............as I type this, i realise that I have far more anger towards Ben than I previously appreciated.......and a more sound basis than most on this forum....... ..........shit! I should have been cheering for LR. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanghaisailor 1,757 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 That old cliche "You can't win them all". He has got a pretty full trophy cabinet though 5 Olympic Medals, a record number of Finn Gold Cups, a bucket load of worlds, a WMRT title, thrashed everyone in SailGP his FIRST time in one of those things and goodness knows what else. Oh and he was a very large part of the San Francisco comeback in my opinion which Pitbull fans conveniently forget about. Been successful enough in our sport to drive an Aston Martin (if he still has it) and honeymoon with his new wife Geordie on ther 65 foot wooden Dutch build yacht so great example for young hopefuls of what success in our sport can bring. I think he has been very gracious throughout the challenges of this cup and has admitted the shortcomings of the boat - hells teeth, they were calling Rita a 'dog' before Christmas. Sure he is tough when he has his 'game face' on but not a bad guy. I remember I was at the GBR party at the Olympic Test Event in Qingdao in 2006. They were all there, Percy, Shirl, Goody I think and of course Ben. But it was Ben my girlfriend (now wife) wanted a picture taken with, so i asked him. Immediate response was no problem. He is human like the rest of us and he must have been hugely disappointed the other evening and to find out some Italian back room bloke had omitted to invite him to the post race press conference as had happened on every single other day of the event so far is bound to have been, shall we say, somewhat less than pleasing. I'd would have been pissed. I watched the short piece by 'stuff' on youtube and looking at some of the comments below the video - Christ many of them have 50% of fuck all comprehension about the situation. The only thing I would put my money on (apart from ETNZ thrashing LRPP) is that Ben Ainslie will be back. SS 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Alchemist 1,425 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 He is the face of the UK team so he is going to be blamed for their loss. They had some obvious design problems and they did the best to fight through it. Also, he is a sailing legend and many people want to know him down a notch. Just for fun, imagine the response from the SAAC crowd too many of the questions the press asked Ben? ? - WTF do you think... ? - No, I loved getting my ass handed to me... ?- ..... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JALhazmat 1,612 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 21 minutes ago, shanghaisailor said: That old cliche "You can't win them all". He has got a pretty full trophy cabinet though 5 Olympic Medals, a record number of Finn Gold Cups, a bucket load of worlds, a WMRT title, thrashed everyone in SailGP his FIRST time in one of those things and goodness knows what else. Oh and he was a very large part of the San Francisco comeback in my opinion which Pitbull fans conveniently forget about. Been successful enough in our sport to drive an Aston Martin (if he still has it) and honeymoon with his new wife Geordie on ther 65 foot wooden Dutch build yacht so great example for young hopefuls of what success in our sport can bring. I think he has been very gracious throughout the challenges of this cup and has admitted the shortcomings of the boat - hells teeth, they were calling Rita a 'dog' before Christmas. Sure he is tough when he has his 'game face' on but not a bad guy. I remember I was at the GBR party at the Olympic Test Event in Qingdao in 2006. They were all there, Percy, Shirl, Goody I think and of course Ben. But it was Ben my girlfriend (now wife) wanted a picture taken with, so i asked him. Immediate response was no problem. He is human like the rest of us and he must have been hugely disappointed the other evening and to find out some Italian back room bloke had omitted to invite him to the post race press conference as had happened on every single other day of the event so far is bound to have been, shall we say, somewhat less than pleasing. I'd would have been pissed. I watched the short piece by 'stuff' on youtube and looking at some of the comments below the video - Christ many of them have 50% of fuck all comprehension about the situation. The only thing I would put my money on (apart from ETNZ thrashing LRPP) is that Ben Ainslie will be back. SS The stuff vid and the live sail die vid are from the same open press call, point 1 not drunk despite what many on here think and have slagged him off for without basis. point 2 we don’t know what dumb as fuck leading question had been asked by Stuff. Just the sound bite answer. Point 3, not dressed properly unlike the Italians. Wearing what he had at the formal press conference when they were dressed in a grey tracksuits /jacket baseball cap combo, or in Max case a T-shirt an shorts. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dolphin65 63 Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, shanghaisailor said: He is human like the rest of us and he must have been hugely disappointed the other evening and to find out some Italian back room bloke had omitted to invite him to the post race press conference as had happened on every single other day of the event so far is bound to have been, shall we say, somewhat less than pleasing. I'd would have been pissed. As an Italian, I feel quite embarrassed for this unpleasant event....Who knows why Longanesi Cattani (if he made this call) humiliated the British team this way... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rh3000 1,883 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, JALhazmat said: The stuff vid and the live sail die vid are from the same open press call, point 1 not drunk despite what many on here think and have slagged him off for without basis. point 2 we don’t know what dumb as fuck leading question had been asked by Stuff. Just the sound bite answer. Point 3, not dressed properly unlike the Italians. Wearing what he had at the formal press conference when they were dressed in a grey tracksuits /jacket baseball cap combo, or in Max case a T-shirt an shorts. I'm not sure they are from the same press call. In LSD it's still light, and Ben's hair is still pretty organised, in the stuff article it's clearly dark and his hair is more windswept. He's also much more spritely in LSD and in Stuff it appears to me he's had a few, which he certainly deserved! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad 3,970 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 5 hours ago, JALhazmat said: this thread is going to go one way full of people that have never met the bloke but have decided from a story from a mate down the pub that he is the worst person in existence, prove me wrong:) Or you just meet him in the pub. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DavidYacht 57 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Actually I got to be in the cockpit with Ben many moons ago in a demo event match racing against Ian Percy and Shirley Robertson in the Sunsail France 1 and France 2 AC class boats. My input was solely counting down the starts, but I found him to be charming and a good people person. Although a laid back event he was totally focussed from the warning signal and as soon as we finished he was up on deck (yep I was handed the helm) while he patted all the crew on the back. My abiding memory was that we were briefed by Sunsail not to go within a boat length of the other boat, but in a dial up with Percy I was quite convinced that he was going to take out two AC 75s plus Sunsail owner Chris Gordon’s rather beautiful 50ft Beneteau custom committee boat. it was my 40th Birthday as well! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rennmaus 3,060 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 10 minutes ago, mad said: Or you just meet him in the pub. Or in a pizzeria in Valencia or in a café in Cagliari. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptorsailor 313 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 5 hours ago, Fiji Bitter said: Just read the various threads I would suggest. That will enlighten you! No need for a Ben Basher thread, methinks. We only do Dean Barker bashing over here. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad 3,970 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 8 minutes ago, Rennmaus said: 19 minutes ago, mad said: Or you just meet him in the pub. Or in a pizzeria in Valencia or in a café in Cagliari. Was he acting like an arrogant arsehole there as well? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
armchairadmiral 54 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 And Grant Dalton. Granny Herald ran a one sided (IMO) series on how terrible he was/is. I must be terrible too because I 'm really enjoying the spectacle initiated by GD and team..Be interesting to see the Herald suck it up in March. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rennmaus 3,060 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 22 minutes ago, mad said: Was he acting like an arrogant arsehole there as well? He ate his pizza, and he did not do it noisily, so I wouldn't rate him an arsehole. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strider470 2,142 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, Rennmaus said: He ate his pizza, and he did not do it noisily, so I wouldn't rate him an arsehole. The question is which pizza? Could it be a pineapple pizza? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SloopJohnB 360 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 6 hours ago, Mozzy Sails said: Ben Ainslie stole my lunch money. I thought you poms where given free lunches! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LCS Carbon 176 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Is Mozzy secretly a better sailor than Ben? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mozzy Sails 953 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 minute ago, Flags said: Is Mozzy secretly a better sailor than Ben? It's not a secret I've got proof too 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LCS Carbon 176 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 8 minutes ago, Mozzy Sails said: It's not a secret I've got proof too I'm not sure I've seen Bens results from his days in a Topper Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mozzy Sails 953 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 26 minutes ago, Flags said: I'm not sure I've seen Bens results from his days in a Topper to be fair... I have raced Giles... it didn't go very well. I had only been sailing for a couple of years though and was very small. Giles, despite being my age was already getting too big for toppers, annihilating most the competition and moved on before I got going. I did spend a decent amount of time with his younger brother though, who as a result of being a giant as well went through the class with me despite being three years younger. For that matter I was also on topper squad with Dyfrig, Bleddyn's brother. Another really nice family. So it's pretty cool to see the families I grew up sailing against now competing at the AC together and is pretty cool for the Topper class. I think most of Giles results at most topper events would eclipse mine, except perhaps at a worlds. I don't think he did a worlds! But other than that won every event he did do. But... back to Ben... Ben Ainslie (allegedly) gave me a wedgey at the tiger trophy dinner... 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stingray~ 2,262 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I’ve been following Ben in the AC since his stint with Seattle’s 2003 OneWorld Challenge and, while nobody is perfect, it seems to me he has matured very well. He has grown in experience, wisdom, honesty and graciousness. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tropical Madness 77 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 He’s done well to maintain a top level and competitive team at the pinnacle of our sport. I think hell be back but he should hire NO to drive the boat. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southseasbill 159 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, strider470 said: The question is which pizza? Could it be a pineapple pizza? Spaghetti pizza I heard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Holman 133 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 11 minutes ago, Mozzy Sails said: to be fair... I have raced Giles... it didn't go very well. I had only been sailing for a couple of years though and was very small. Giles, despite being my age was already getting too big for toppers, annihilating most the competition and moved on before I got going. I did spend a decent amount of time with his younger brother though, who as a result of being a giant as well went through the class with me despite being three years younger. For that matter I was also on topper squad with Dyfrig, Bleddyn's brother. Another really nice family. So it's pretty cool to see the families I grew up sailing against now competing at the AC together and is pretty cool for the Topper class. I think most of Giles results at most topper events would eclipse mine, except perhaps at a worlds. I don't think he did a worlds! But other than that won every event he did do. But... back to Ben... Ben Ainslie (allegedly) gave me a wedgey at the tiger trophy dinner... I remember Giles sailing with us in Laser at senior squad training owing to being 6'6" at 15 years old! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strider470 2,142 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Just now, southseasbill said: Spaghetti pizza I heard. Now I can't defend Ben anymore! That's too much! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EYESAILOR 1,653 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 There is nothing wrong with Ben that cannot be fixed by......winning the America's Cup. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Ben is a winner. ... Like most winners the are very focused and sometime do not let fools interfere with the mission Coutts, conner, bertrand, .... All focussed. Barker, Dickson, ...all take fame before it is earned Many judge Ben because of his little " jump out of his finn and give the umpire a rev up" incident. Most here are just keyboard wankers who are jealous of the fame and money winners have. Unlike me, who bags the losers, who are praised by the same idiots, for claiming fame after chokeing.... You wankers who praise the losers are probably the same masturbating twats that bag Ben. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris UK 173 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 30 minutes ago, Stingray~ said: I’ve been following Ben in the AC since his stint with Seattle’s 2003 OneWorld Challenge and, while nobody is perfect, it seems to me he has matured very well. He has grown in experience, wisdom, honesty and graciousness. Did Ben and Ken Read get on back then? .....seem to remember there was something in Ben's book about kopping flak from someone when Ben was on the runners but in the book he declines to name names. Anyone? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 40 minutes ago, EYESAILOR said: There is nothing wrong with Ben that cannot be fixed by......winning the America's Cup. That's says alot about dean bar*[email protected] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stingray~ 2,262 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, EYESAILOR said: There is nothing wrong with Ben that cannot be fixed by......winning the America's Cup. The list of people and teams who have come close but not won the AC is a long one!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
45Roller 374 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 @Stingray~ you say Seattle, and I think of the greatest NHL team name ever Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stingray~ 2,262 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, 45Roller said: @Stingray~ you say Seattle, and I think of the greatest NHL team name ever Lol! There actually is a proper Seattle NHL team coming, with an even better name 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Baconator said: Ben is a winner. ... Like most winners the are very focused and sometime do not let fools interfere with the mission Coutts, conner, bertrand, .... All focussed. Barker, Dickson, ...all take fame before it is earned Many judge Ben because of his little " jump out of his finn and give the umpire a rev up" incident. Most here are just keyboard wankers who are jealous of the fame and money winners have. Unlike me, who bags the losers, who are praised by the same idiots, for claiming fame after chokeing.... You wankers who praise the losers are probably the same masturbating twats that bag Ben. Twice in a week Im agreeing with pigfucker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
45Roller 374 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, Stingray~ said: Lol! There actually is a proper Seattle NHL team coming, with an even better name Yeah heard they went with Kraken Canucks rivalry should be great 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SimonN 716 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Mozzy Sails said: Ben Ainslie stole my lunch money. Ben Ainslie once paid for my lunch... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dullers 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 9 hours ago, Lat35sowth said: Who cares, Ben didnt win f all in this sailing event. Never heard of your trophy cabinet.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dullers 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 6 hours ago, mad said: Was he acting like an arrogant arsehole there as well? You sound like a big baby with a dirty nappy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dullers 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 4 hours ago, EYESAILOR said: There is nothing wrong with Ben that cannot be fixed by......winning the America's Cup. He has won the Americas cup already. Maybe I misread a typo...... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jaysper 1,264 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Look, most of the sailors at the AC (including the dreaded Jimmy Spithill) are probably like the rest of us -good cunts most of the time but ultimately have some brain explosions from time to time. I for one admire Jimmy for taking ownership of oracle's losses so readily - he stands head and shoulders above the rest in this regard. Where I cannot abide a sports person is where the jump out of their canoe in search of an opportunity to lay some whoop arse on another person. Is he the devil? Nope. He does however need to model himself more on Pete sampras than John Mcenroe. And yes, comparison with Mcenroe is totally over the top. Ever heard of hyperbole? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 there is something culturally repulsive about world famous sportspeople being attention whores, I dont get that from any of the top skippers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mako23 632 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 I dont like kicking a man while down. To put all your heart and soul into a project and come up short must be heart breaking. I’m sure he will bounce back. He has many good attributes and at the moment this should be the focus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EYESAILOR 1,653 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, jaysper said: Look, most of the sailors at the AC (including the dreaded Jimmy Spithill) are probably like the rest of us -good cunts most of the time but ultimately have some brain explosions from time to time. I for one admire Jimmy for taking ownership of oracle's losses so readily - he stands head and shoulders above the rest in this regard. Where I cannot abide a sports person is where the jump out of their canoe in search of an opportunity to lay some whoop arse on another person. Is he the devil? Nope. He does however need to model himself more on Pete sampras than John Mcenroe. And yes, comparison with Mcenroe is totally over the top. Ever heard of hyperbole? You have gotta be kidding! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jaysper 1,264 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 37 minutes ago, EYESAILOR said: You have gotta be kidding! Umm, nope? Although you might want to be a touch more specific about what you object to. Is it for example that I've said you're probably a good cunt? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
amc 101 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Ya might have missed that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
36thLatitude 90 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 2 hours ago, dullers said: Never heard of your trophy cabinet.... Thats because i havent ridden everyones coat-tails to pursue sport as a job, and i happen to be more than adequate at most sports... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Alchemist 1,425 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 47 minutes ago, Lat35sowth said: Thats because i havent ridden everyones coat-tails to pursue sport as a job, and i happen to be more than adequate at most sports... That is not what she said.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 2 hours ago, mako23 said: I dont like kicking a man while down. To put all your heart and soul into a project and come up short must be heart breaking. I’m sure he will bounce back. He has many good attributes and at the moment this should be the focus A champion takes a good punch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 7 hours ago, Stingray~ said: The list of people and teams who have come close but not won the AC is a long one!!! Ben's won the AC. And not lost it 5 times to zip like Barker. The definition of idiot is doing the same thing and getting the same bad result .. ... Ben hasn't done that yet plenty have and plenty more know when timo get out. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanghaisailor 1,757 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 8 hours ago, Baconator said: Ben is a winner. ... Like most winners the are very focused and sometime do not let fools interfere with the mission Coutts, conner, bertrand, .... All focussed. Barker, Dickson, ...all take fame before it is earned Many judge Ben because of his little " jump out of his finn and give the umpire a rev up" incident. Most here are just keyboard wankers who are jealous of the fame and money winners have. Unlike me, who bags the losers, who are praised by the same idiots, for claiming fame after chokeing.... You wankers who praise the losers are probably the same masturbating twats that bag Ben. Agree, not many competitions are won by people who are not focussed, but actually it was a photographer's driver he swam across to have words with. At a normal regatta he would have gone to the room to claim redress for the media RIB wake disturbing him downwind but ISAF (as it was then) had written into the SI's that interference by a media boat was not grounds for redress if I remember correctly. I also seem to remember (correct me if i am wrong - I'm getting on a bit :-)) that the media boat was from the country of the sailor that Ben was trying to chase down. Not an important event though, only a world championship or similar. The term in English slang is "suffer fools badly" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanghaisailor 1,757 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Just now, Baconator said: Ben's won the AC. And not lost it 5 times to zip like Barker. The definition of idiot is doing the same thing and getting the same bad result .. ... Ben hasn't done that yet plenty have and plenty more know when timo get out. If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you've always got. It is noticeable how similar the words admire and aspire are. Those who knock those better than themselves have little or no chance reaching the sometimes dizzying heights of the greats. Champions usully come with rough edges. Frank Dick, one of the UK's best ever athletic coaches used to talk of his stars having those rough edges, videos of some of his talks are on youtube - worth a look. He was coach during the Daley Thomson, Steve Ovett, Seb Coe era (all Olympic Gold Medalists). It is easy to hide behind a keyboard - keyboard wankers you so aptly call them, I call them keyboard commodores - when you know you have little chance of actually meeting them in person. Cowardly really Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Yip. But you can comment in their records and behaviour if it's consistently bad and they make out it's not! And professionals are free targets, just like politicians etc .... But not amateur's/ volunteers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 50 minutes ago, shanghaisailor said: Agree, not many competitions are won by people who are not focussed, but actually it was a photographer's driver he swam across to have words with. At a normal regatta he would have gone to the room to claim redress for the media RIB wake disturbing him downwind but ISAF (as it was then) had written into the SI's that interference by a media boat was not grounds for redress if I remember correctly. I also seem to remember (correct me if i am wrong - I'm getting on a bit :-)) that the media boat was from the country of the sailor that Ben was trying to chase down. Not an important event though, only a world championship or similar. The term in English slang is "suffer fools badly" Correct. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Regular Swimmer 31 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Baconator said: Ben's won the AC. And not lost it 5 times to zip like Barker. The definition of idiot is doing the same thing and getting the same bad result .. ... Ben hasn't done that yet plenty have and plenty more know when timo get out. Actually, Barker has won an America's Cup. And given that he was helmsman and skipper I'd say his contribution to that win was much greater than Ainslie's was to his. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rennmaus 3,060 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 19 minutes ago, Regular Swimmer said: Actually, Barker has won an America's Cup. And given that he was helmsman and skipper I'd say his contribution to that win was much greater than Ainslie's was to his. He was the helmsman, IIRC Coutts was the skipper, but you're right with the win. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minimumfuss 326 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 20 minutes ago, Regular Swimmer said: Actually, Barker has won an America's Cup. And given that he was helmsman and skipper I'd say his contribution to that win was much greater than Ainslie's was to his. Well played. Let's see how long that shuts him up for. About a minute I'd guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GBH 109 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 3 hours ago, Baconator said: Ben's won the AC. And not lost it 5 times to zip like Barker. The definition of idiot is doing the same thing and getting the same bad result .. ... Ben hasn't done that yet plenty have and plenty more know when timo get out. He won as a part of a team where he was one cog in the machine . What he hasn't done is won with him as the team principal, and with Bermuda and now the latest failure it's plain to see that this is something well outside his skill set but won't admit it. However his skill set has certainly been capable of conning backers to stick serous $$$$$$ into his bank balance for zero results. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Regular Swimmer said: Actually, Barker has won an America's Cup. And given that he was helmsman and skipper I'd say his contribution to that win was much greater than Ainslie's was to his. The cup was already won when Coutts gave the boy a go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Horn Rock 1,712 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 3 minutes ago, GBH said: for zero results. He actually did improve one place over Bermuda. Semi finalist there, finalist here. At that rate he needs another two campaigns to lift the auld mug. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 8 minutes ago, GBH said: He won as a part of a team where he was one cog in the machine . What he hasn't done is won with him as the team principal, and with Bermuda and now the latest failure it's plain to see that this is something well outside his skill set but won't admit it. However his skill set has certainly been capable of conning backers to stick serous $$$$$$ into his bank balance for zero results. That's utter bullshit! This campaign was a success ... He sailed well, his crew sailed well, his campaign was well managed in and off the water. His only weakness was boat/ foil/ rig/ sail design. ... Which one or combo of a few we will not ever know. . And get never had any pre regattas to check his boat in with If he had Prada's boat he would be in the final. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strider470 2,142 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Regular Swimmer said: Actually, Barker has won an America's Cup. And given that he was helmsman and skipper I'd say his contribution to that win was much greater than Ainslie's was to his. When was Barker both helmsman and skipper? What I remember is that Coutts gave him the helm only in the last race of the series, back in 2000 when they successfully defended the cup. That said I like Dean Barker, and I think he simply has not been very lucky. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Regular Swimmer 31 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 9 minutes ago, Baconator said: The cup was already won when Coutts gave the boy a go. Yup. And it was still a greater contribution. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Regular Swimmer said: Yup. And it was still a greater contribution. What contribution? Butterworth told Barker what to do and when to do it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LB 15.1 111 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 6 minutes ago, strider470 said: When was Barker both helmsman and skipper? What I remember is that Coutts gave him the helm only in the last race of the series, back in 2000 when they successfully defended the cup. That said I like Dean Barker, and I think he simply has not been very lucky. Lucks got nothing to do with it. Choosing hulas when you needed masts and a dry cockpit design is not luck. Teaming your Japan challenge to the yanks is not luck. Trying a tack - bare away rounding in a big breeze with a big lead and when you brains depart ment says not too... That's not luck that's poor decision making. Luck is when you toss a coin or roll a dice to get a answer.... No skipper does that. Dean is just not good enough. He like s to have the fame, but has not deserved it compared to winners. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JALhazmat 1,612 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 24 minutes ago, GBH said: He won as a part of a team where he was one cog in the machine . What he hasn't done is won with him as the team principal, and with Bermuda and now the latest failure it's plain to see that this is something well outside his skill set but won't admit it. However his skill set has certainly been capable of conning backers to stick serous $$$$$$ into his bank balance for zero results. Jimmy, Pete, et al. neither have won as team principle either, just as cogs in the machine so not sure what your point is. other than shit flinging.. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Regular Swimmer 31 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 28 minutes ago, Baconator said: What contribution? Butterworth told Barker what to do and when to do it. So... you think that telling someone what to do is more important and takes more skill than actually doing it? You've got a great future in management Bacon Boy. And you'd get on well with my wife. Comments like that do make me wonder whether you've ever sailed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JALhazmat 1,612 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 27 minutes ago, rastro said: So unless you were driving you haven’t won it? Interesting logic 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GBH 109 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Baconator said: That's utter bullshit! This campaign was a success ... He sailed well, his crew sailed well, his campaign was well managed in and off the water. His only weakness was boat/ foil/ rig/ sail design. ... Which one or combo of a few we will not ever know. . And get never had any pre regattas to check his boat in with If he had Prada's boat he would be in the final. Strange definition of success Porkie! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dullers 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 7 hours ago, Lat35sowth said: Thats because i havent ridden everyones coat-tails to pursue sport as a job, and i happen to be more than adequate at most sports... Still have not heard of your trophy cabinet. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dullers 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 2 hours ago, GBH said: He won as a part of a team where he was one cog in the machine . What he hasn't done is won with him as the team principal, and with Bermuda and now the latest failure it's plain to see that this is something well outside his skill set but won't admit it. However his skill set has certainly been capable of conning backers to stick serous $$$$$$ into his bank balance for zero results. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
45Roller 374 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 12 minutes ago, dullers said: It's yellow, so it checks out 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shebeen 467 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Hey a guy who's got four golds and a silver from 5 olympics is bound to ruffle some feathers and make some enemies along the way. He got knighted for DINGHY SAILING! I have a mate who was on the pro laser circuit at the time. The rivalry between Robert Scheidt(9 time Laser world champion) and Ben was incredible, so heard lots about it back then. He's just an incredible sailor, and I would put money on him winning the America's cup eventually with his own team again. At Atlanta Ben (as a 19yr old), was 2 points behind Robert going into the final race with 3rd miles behind. If Ben won, Robert would need to finish at least 3rd(or maybe even 2nd - depends on countback rules used). so to guarantee gold, robert sailed both ben and himself over the startline. Both got an OCS and that was it. 4 years later, Ben had won a few worlds and was now a bit more streetwise (and the UK sailing team had some huge budget too). Robert was again ahead going into the final race, but this time the discards worked in Ben's favour. What follows below is some of the greatest match racing you'll ever see (Unfortunately I don't think there's any footage from Atlanta on youtube) edit: i found some match racing footage from 1996 14 hours ago, Baconator said: Many judge Ben because of his little " jump out of his finn and give the umpire a rev up" incident. Since there's seemingly no video footage of that..i don't think that story is that widely known anymore. 16 hours ago, DavidYacht said: Actually I got to be in the cockpit with Ben many moons ago in a demo event match racing against Ian Percy and Shirley Robertson in the Sunsail France 1 and France 2 AC class boats. My input was solely counting down the starts, but I found him to be charming and a good people person. Although a laid back event he was totally focussed from the warning signal and as soon as we finished he was up on deck (yep I was handed the helm) while he patted all the crew on the back. My abiding memory was that we were briefed by Sunsail not to go within a boat length of the other boat, but in a dial up with Percy I was quite convinced that he was going to take out two AC 75s plus Sunsail owner Chris Gordon’s rather beautiful 50ft Beneteau custom committee boat. it was my 40th Birthday as well! nice to get some honest input from an average Joe here, I'm sure many of these elite sailors are very decent to be around away from their big regattas. 1
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