Flatcapdriver

I'm not sure what your point is? I'm just trying to explain why I believe her achievement is impressive and that because I have some sailing experience I can possibly appreciate her endeavours better than someone who has had none.

As far as I can tell, you're not knocking her or her achievements but questioning the validity of her record and whether it is indeed a record as you believe it to be an obscure discipline, which I've tried to put into context for you by comparing it to others.

If I'm following your point correctly, then if I was to say that Warren Buffet is a muppet for making so much money and I don't see the point and what has he contributed to society, then I'd allow you with your background to put me straight. This is an example and I realise that is not the point you're making with Ellen McArthur and as I said earlier I believe that records should exist (as I thought we'd moved on from the initial subject) and that it's worthwhile for someone to go out and break them, although I agree that some of the more stupid ones such as the Baked Beans example are a waste of time although no doubt someone will disagree with me.

Iain Young

Ironically, that's one of the few records that should be possible to replicate with identical conditions, and so one of the few valid records in the guiness book

......I'll get my coat...

Flatcapdriver

Good point. Didn't think of that.

OllyK

Hahahaha!!! Show another 71 day period with exactly the same weather conditions as those we have just had!

Dream Weaver

Just to re-iterate, well done to her for doing it, but...

...thats not really the point here.

If England/GB win the cricket/football/world cup/olympics etc then its great as England/GB have beaten all the other countries, but this is just 1 woman sailing against the clock, not for England or GB just for herself to break a record.

InvisibleMan

Anyone??




no i didnt have a clue either......

Flatcapdriver

So, if she was competing against other boats and won then this would make her achievements more recognisable?

OllyK

I see, solo events where a British Woman beats the world record formerly held by a French Man and helping raise the profile of her charitable trust don't count when it comes to a bit of patriotism and flag waving, and yet a few muddy guys kicking a pigs bladder about is the bee all and end all? God help Tim Henman if he ever wins Wimbledon, selfish bugger, it's not like he is doing it for Britain or anything.

TelBoy

FCD - yep.

Dream Weaver

Not more recognisable, but the average Joe like me who has never sailed would be more overjoyed at the achievement.

I think she's done well, mega achievement etc and I certainly couldnt do it, but it doesnt compare to something like England winning the World cup, thats my point.

Dream Weaver

Not to me personally, no.

Flatcapdriver

Well, she's done that as well.

OllyK

Absolutely, what she has done is more significant, she has raised the profile of her charity. England winning the world cup is neither here nor there.

ProperCharlie

The thing is, someone else could set off tommorrow in another mega hi-tech boat, and in all likelihood, they'd arrive back in 70 days or so, and may well beat this "record".

It's just not cricket, is it?

Owzaat!

TelBoy

Why are you asking the question then??

InvisibleMan

football is abit cr@p though isnt it - dont like it dont care for it dont think theres any great acheivement in kicking a ball about....

OllyK

So it's only valid if nobody else could ever beat the record?? Get real.

Records are set, records are broken, some stand for a short time, others for years. It sets a standard that others then try to surpass, to be the best at what you do. What is wrong with striving for and achieving excellence, whatever the field?

Iain Young

That was my point. The record aspect is pointless...

Iain Young

Nothing, but why do need to have records to do that, especially in a sport such as sailing in which there are so many variables as to make the conditions of the record incomparable...

OllyK

Show me any record where the conditions were exactly the same as the previous attempt.

ProperCharlie

Olly - I'm not saying it's not valid - I'm just saying that it's not cricket.

The girl done great and all that but it's not rocking my world.

Flatcapdriver

Because I don't understand the logic whereby if you compete in a team environment and accomplish something which is easier than a solo effort of the same kind, somehow you're accomplishments are more recognisable?

You do something that's easier and get more recognition - doesn't make sense.

TelBoy

That's being pedantic, and you know it.

OllyK

Because if there are no goal posts how do you know what you are trying to aim at?

TelBoy

Because without comparison, it's impossible to quantify, as i now find myself banging on about!!! We don't know if the sea conditions/wind etc were particularly favourable as there was nobody else involved. Just because it's difficult and a long way, doesn't intrinsically justify its elevated status, in my mind.

OllyK

Of course it is - but where do you draw the line? What is acceptable varience?

TelBoy

Impossible to say of course, but when we're talking about going round the world, in a boat, i'd need a lot of convincing that two unilateral attempts were anything other than fleetingly comparable.

Flatcapdriver

You just called Ollyk pedantic for mentioning the sea conditions? By your reckoning it's almost impossible to quantify most records. How can you compare Edmund Hilary's ascent of Everest with one the next day, when weather conditions could be different?

How can you say that Schumacher's lap record of whatever circuit is valid as the last record holder may have had colder conditions when he made his lap and as a sailing record it does have elevated status over other records such as Sydney to Hobart, Round the Island or whatever record.

You can't make the statement that because she's in a race with other boats, this validates her achievements any more than a solo effort because weather is intangible. If two boats are several hundred miles apart they can be in completely different weather systems, one of which can favour one boat with the other being in adverse conditions which slows it down. More than one boat is involved but although they are in completely different weather fronts this somehow justifies greater recognition? It doesn't make sense.

Jerome

You obviously know nothing about sailing then.

Most experienced sailors wouldn't be able to do what she did, regardless of the amount of technology you throw at the boat.

TelBoy

Was the ascent of Everest a timed event? Don't think so. Irrelevant.

Schumacher's lap times? To most people, that's as close as you need to get to similar conditions as to make no difference. A three hour race going 200 miles, NOT 70-odd days doing thousands of miles alone in an ever-changing sea.

If you can't see yet why some people are left cold by the claims of "world record", not just recognition for doing something dangerous and difficult, i don't think you're ever going to. I can't express it any more clearly.