Of course I am correct with respect to Rule 5 and little Ellen
being in violation of it for a period of time exceeding three
months.

That's the core of the issue and anybody, so far, who has
tried to introduce other issues or deny the core issue is
in denial based on personal ignorance or prejudice and
arguing impotently.

It is heartening to see this group has at least one other
subscriber who does not allow his ignorance or prejudice
to interfere with his clear thinking.

I, however, am not as generous as you. I will never
congratulate Ellen on her so-called record. Records
have to be garnered according to the rules. Records,
such as Ellen's, are ill-gotten because they are illegal
by definition as explained in my recent post elsewhere.

There is no other sport or avocation I can think of
where a record is established in blatant violation
of the rules of that sport or avocation.

Ellen has continuously and blatantly violated
Rule 5 of the COLREGS. Her record is invalid because
it was garnered illegally. That the sport of sailboat
racing condones illegal activity and calls it record-
breaking does not bode well for the morals of those
engaged therein.

CN

"Gilligan" wrote in message ink.net...
Congratulations to Ellen for setting a new World Record. This person
bettered the previous record by a margin of about 2%, a true accomplishment
by almost any measure.

To the thinking person, this accomplishment raises several issues. First is
the issue of sportmanship. Athletes are routinely penalized for
unsportmanslike conduct and can suffer lifetime disbarment for other
actions. Take Pete Rose for example, just for betting. Ellen has put herself
and others at risk, potentially violated international law and treaties -
where are the sanctions?

Secondly is the potential issue of fraud. If a woman took first place in
men's weightlifting in the Olympics, or outran the men in the 100 meter dash
you can bet she'd have a cotton swab jammed in her mouth a for chromosome
testing. If Ellen's feat is so grand and so remarkable even for a man, let
alone a woman, any credible sports sanctioning institute would be testing
away.

Thirdly is the regard of sailing as a sport. The heavy reliance on
equipment, sponsorship (she was sailing a billboard if you failed to notice)
and possibly use of stimulants overweighs physical performance. This simply
says sailing is not a true sport. As the good Captain has maintained sailing
for most of you is an escape. Ellens escapade falls into the realm of
entertainment and is a commercial enterprise. Proper sailing is a lifestyle,
not an event. The few here who execute it with any grace are Captain Neal,
Simple Simon and to a lesser degree, Joe.

To prove this to yourselves, beyond a trace of doubt, ask yourself this
question:

"Would the oceans of the world be a better place to sail if it had 1000
Captains Neals on it or 1000 Ellens on it?"

In your heart you know he's right!

Gilligan