Ellen MacArthur - Around the world

A forum for discussing world news, ideas, concepts and possibly controversial topics including religion and politics. WARNING: may contain strong opinions or strong language. This does not mean anything goes though!
Forum rules
Please read the Forum rules and policies before posting.
Post Reply
User avatar
PaulH
Ghastly gastropod
Posts: 3763
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2002 10:27 pm
Location: Level 6

Ellen MacArthur - Around the world

Post by PaulH »

I would like to congratulate Ellen on breaking the world record for yachting around the world. Now try it without a backup team, sponsorship, GPS navigation, auto pilot, internet and email, etc and etc.

Don't get me wrong, its an impressive physical test. But I can't help but feel slightly underwhelmed by it all.
User avatar
beowuuf
Archmastiff
Posts: 20687
Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2000 2:00 pm
Location: Basingstoke, UK

Post by beowuuf »

My manager was compalinign abotu comments liek this, as he had seen the footage of inside the boat - seemed liek an exhausting mental and physical challenge to me, including the fact she had to do sopme very nifty thinking on this like generators, etc

Same with 'Long Way Around' with Ewan McGregor - they had all that, still bloody impressive with scary ,oments when they biked around the world : )
User avatar
Gambit37
Should eat more pies
Posts: 13714
Joined: Wed May 31, 2000 1:57 pm
Location: Location, Location
Contact:

Post by Gambit37 »

You can only compete in the time in which you live. Technology moves on and anyone would be stupid not to use it. While the feat may seem less impressive compared to previous attempts, especially the first by Robn Knox-Johnston who did not have the benefit of all that stuff, I think it is still a major undertaking and one that is much more a character test than anything else. I think she would have managed just as well without all the backup because she is such a determined person.
User avatar
PaulH
Ghastly gastropod
Posts: 3763
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2002 10:27 pm
Location: Level 6

Post by PaulH »

As I said it was an impressive physical undertaking: however having something that automatically steers the boat is one step to far. And you are hardly alone when you have the internet at your disposal. What next? Robots that control the sails?!

Yes, you can only compete in the age of the technology you have, but lines have to be drawn somewhere, especially with challenges like 'around the world solo'.
Post Reply