Posted by Mike Dennis on February 09, 2005 at 13:54:36 from 84.66.252.151 user MTD.
In Reply to: Re: Ellen MacArthur - A contemporary Nancy Blackett? posted by Laurence Monkhouse on February 09, 2005 at 08:11:25:
Having restrained myself on the first post I'll give it a proper go.
Firstly, the Nancy comparison: what has sailing around the world alone in the fastest time got to with someone who sailed for pleasure from perusing a concrete goal?
The task: I am old enough to remember Alec Rose (later Sir) who was a greengrocer with his own boat who fancied sailing around the world alone, so he did. Not for him a specially designed and built boat backed up with a team of 70 odd people and buckets of money from a DIY superstore. He just did it. A far greater achievement.
The person: why does she complain and moan so much, if you don't like it don't do it! This aspect has be wonderfully parodied by the BBC TV comedy 'Dead Ringers', and MacArthur's impersonator Jan Ravens wondered on TV the other night why she doesn't just stay at home and have a nice cup of tea!
Lastly, the honour: the UK honours system is discredited enough, but its getting to the stage where any sportsman or woman just has to write in and ask for one!