This is very sad

You think of catamarans as being such safe boats. I guess these racing ones are quite different.

Poor man. And poor wife and little boys.

So sad

Agreed.
I would however point out that more motorists are drowned every year than sailors.

Oh! Thanks for that Galen.

Galen people always say things like that when an aircraft comes down. So what if more motorists die drowning it doesn't diminish the sadness of an Olympic sailor dying the way he did - as it's been said he also leaves a wife and 2 little boys very

That's true Dorsetpent. It would have been so good for those boys to have had a sportsman like that for a dad.

Galen I don't think any man or woman who aspires to these sports will be put off by tragedies like this. Good thing too.

Report did say they use cutting edge design and technology on the boats; I dod hope this accident isn't the result of a design fault of some kind. Sounds like a gem of a man. Terrible shame. RIP

Is it too cutting edge?

It's like the grande prix. I always think that is more about the design of the car than the drivers' skill. I expect it's a bit of both.

The S.O. tells me that it was in the paper yesterday that these boats are now so fast they all have to carry oxygen [not for the speed but in case they capsize] and that a team of doctors follow them. Rings a few alarm bells, especially when you think of the shape of a catamaran making it impossible for it to right itself if it turns over.

It is very sad, but those extreme sports people know what they are doing - they make that choice... and have to live, and die, with it.

Personally I think they should not have children if they want to take such risks willingly.

But then there might not be any sporting "heroes" in the future. And no gold medals.

Anyone remember the controversy over the woman climber who was killed [was she climbing Everest?]. I know at the time I couldn't understand a woman doing something so dangerous when she had small children [the attrition rate being so high with climbers].

Yes. I remember. I felt the same about her doing it. Why does it seem different when it's the dad doing it? That doesn't make sense does it.

Know what you mean. My kids were quite young at that time and one of my biggest fears was something happening to me to take me away from them, whereas their dad carried on as per usual [riding fast motorbikes etc]. I guess it's a woman thing [?].