In Ben's "defence" document - when he was hauled over the coals for his "full & frank" exchange of views with the press boat he said that downwind his heart rate was something like 184 per minute
What is he doing to get that - he doesnt appear to be pumping
A bit of a change from the old days at Shoreham when it was a point of honour for Laurie Smart to have a fag on the downwind legs whatever the weather

A little pumping?

Not very pretty either is it.

Laurie having a drag while sailing downwind at Shoreham? That's nothing! I crewed for him last year at Shoreham, and after the first race he calmly ran out a line and hauled in a few mackerel between races. Having those b-----s snapping around in the bottom of the boat lent an extra dimension to my sailing experience.

What you need to do is design a new merlin with a holding tank - perhaps an addition to the centreboard case??

I thought it was illegal.  Not be long before it is compulsory and "sailing" will be a thing of the past.  For really calm days why not just get an outboard engine.

Garry – see Rule 42 in the RRS.  You can download the latest version and some Rule 42 interpretations here: http://www.sailing.org/racingrules.php

HTH.

Grotesque! Rule changes to allow unlimited pumping killed windsurfing off as an accessible sport with wide participation.  Only those with the time and youth to spend hours in the gym several timeas a week prospered.  There were many converts from Raceboard to dinghies.  Why change sailing into rowing?

I think you will find that the Finn class only allow a relaxation on rule 42 when the breeze is above 12 knots. Below that the usual rules apply. That makes it a lot more physical to sail and the true 'athlete'with win.

I think you will find that the Finn class only allow a relaxation on rule 42 when the breeze is above 12 knots. Below that the usual rules apply. That makes it a lot more physical to sail and the true 'athlete' will win.

My brother John could light and smoke a fag going to windward in a blow, somewhere I think there's a photo of him doing it at Salcombe.

Also at Salcombe I remember going off the beach below the old Garra Rock Hotel to catch mackerel with Alan Warren in his Merlin Rocket. We quickly filled a bucket and took them back to the beach where we gutted and cooked them over a fire and ate them with our families. They're delicious when that fresh. Among my countless memories of Salcombe that is one of the best.

Spud Rowsell was well up in the 'light a fag' game. I remember him 'getting one on' whilst leading a race in the Soling World Championships in Norway which we went on to win. That was in 30 knots of breeze whilst flying a spinnaker. Warren had white knuckles and his cap back to front so it must have been blowing!