Ben Ainslie VOTE, RYA!

BassBoy · 03 December 2008, 18:56

Just had an email from the RYA asking me to vote for BA in the Sports Personality of the Year 'competition'.

I guess all RYA members have had this.

What do you think?
a- Do you give a toss?
b- Do you feel uncomfortable about the RYA using it's membership list for this purpose?
c- Should the entire boating community of the UK vote for BA?

BB

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 18:58

I'll vote.

He's an 'Old Boy' from my son's school. He turns up for prize givings along with some bird from 'The Appentice'.

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I'll vote.

He's an 'Old Boy' from my son's school. He turns up for prize givings along with some bird from 'The Appentice'.

It'll be for runner-up as Hamilton has it in the bag aswell as having it in a Pussycat Doll.

Poly · 03 December 2008, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassboy

What do you think?
a- Do you give a toss?
b- Do you feel uncomfortable about the RYA using it's membership list for this purpose?
c- Should the entire boating community of the UK vote for BA?

I don't really give a toss! But I certainly don't feel there is anything wrong with the RYA trying to use this as an opportunity to promote the sport. But I also don't feel any compulsion to vote for someone because the RYA said I should - if I was going to vote, and I am not, it probably wouldnt be for Ben!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

It'll be for runner-up as Hamilton has it in the bag

If the bookies are right then Ainslee isn't even in the running for runner up spot. Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington and Lewis Hamilton are the leaders by quite a way. I doubt that many people would even recognise Ben Ainslee!

JSP · 03 December 2008, 20:09

Could only vote for hamilton.

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Could only vote for hamilton.

Is that because you don't own a boat?

RAD · 03 December 2008, 21:51

I got the same email from the RYA also another email from a different company!

But as you say, Hamilton has had more press coverage over Ainslee.

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 22:01

Not wishing to be pernickity guys, but it's AINSLIE.

JSP · 03 December 2008, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Is that because you don't own a boat?

No, because of what he's achieved! Don't see what not having a boat at the moment has got to do with it?

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

No, because of what he's achieved! Don't see what not having a boat at the moment has got to do with it?

Do you have a Maclaren?

Downhilldai · 03 December 2008, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Do you have a Maclaren?

Not wishing to be pernickety, but its McLaren

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Not wishing to be pernickety, but its McLaren

Yeah? F1 glass eyes me something rotten.

Downhilldai · 03 December 2008, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yeah? F1 glass eyes me something rotten.

Last lap of the last race of the season was ok though.....

Mollers · 03 December 2008, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Last lap of the last race of the season was ok though.....

The last corner. I saw it on the news, superb.

That was enough.

Downhilldai · 03 December 2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

The last corner. I saw it on the news, superb.

That was enough.

Can't comment - don't recall the rest of the season. Gripping stuff

Doug Stormforce · 04 December 2008, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBoy

a- Do you give a toss?

What? About sailing, watersports, the RYA, or recognising achievement - YES

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBoy

Do you feel uncomfortable about the RYA using it's membership list for this purpose?

No, I think it’s quite appropriate for them to let their members know that one of our own is up for selection so to speak, it would be remiss of them to keep it quiet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBoy

c- Should the entire boating community of the UK vote for BA?

That's up to each and every individual but its good to be aware. Although I can see some Ribnet members may not feel he is relevant to their lives he has done more for British sailing than most people and if you’re a sailor and British then he is worth considering.

Poly · 14 December 2008, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

It'll be for runner-up as Hamilton has it in the bag aswell as having it in a Pussycat Doll.

seems he'll have to make do with the pussycat doll... ...cos the scotsman beat him!

JSP · 15 December 2008, 14:50

Pedal power got all the top marks!

Mollers · 22 December 2008, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

seems he'll have to make do with the pussycat doll... ...cos the scotsman beat him!

Yeah, so i heard. Good on him, Hoy is a top bloke. Hamilton's perceived ruthless determination has lost him a little public admiration.

So, which Pussycat Dolls do the runner-ups get?

hamster · 22 December 2008, 10:59

Aparently Ailnslie came in at 4th. much higher than I thought he would give the strenght of the competition.

Yes he is one of our most successful olympians with 3 gold and a silver at 4 games and I would argue that has had to work a lot harder for each of his medals than some of the guys who run one or two races against competition that i reckon i could keep up with. They run for 20/30 seconds or so on a flat unchanged surface and they've won a medal. We all know from being out there how unpredictable the sea can be and how the conditions for each race can be so different than the last.

Rant over but as you'll gather I don't think sailing gets the media coverage or credit that it deserves given its our most successful olympic sport for years and we are by far the most successful sailing nation in the world.