Dame Ellen?? - Why??

[yachtbits]

Okay, I recognise the following,

Yes, it was quiet a feat to break the record.
Yes, she's a girl and it is probably considered that it was harder for a girl (what happened to sexual equality?)
Yes, it is a helluva boat. (Gi's a go!)

But, why is she a Dame??

It was probably on Autopilot 98%+ of the time, okay she fixed the broken bits.
It cost Millions to stage. Yup, but its only money, and the only reason it really happened is because Kingfisher Group PLC threw those millions at it. But look at the prime time TV advertising they got.
She also had continual support and comms with home, didn't exactly sail off into the darkness, not to be seen or heard of for 3 months.

Don't get me wrong, well done and thanks for promoting sailing, but lets not get too carried away. Carry on doing this sort of stuff for another 20 years and then come back for the medal.

Kevin

 

[jointventureII]

I can see your point - it was one hell of a feat but maybe not immediately worth that status?

Tho must be the strangest feeling, middle of an ocean, relying on yourself to survive...

 

[doris]

Just one question Kevin.

Have you ever been sailing, offshore in big weather, maybe shorthanded? What Joyon did was considered to be almost unbeatable. Why should RKJ have a K, various footballers similar? You are obviously one of those typical brits who denigrate everything achieved by a brit. Learn to sit back and enjoy.

 

[l'escargot]

Re: Just one question Kevin.

I don't know why so many people want to minimise the achievement, more people have walked on the moon than done what Ellen did - if it was that easy why isn't everyone having a crack at it.

 

[Koeketiene]

See your point - however the whole honours scheme operates under a quota system - the bulk for the civil service - so many for the armed forces - so many for the CBI (captains of industry) - and the remainder for the pleb.

Someone at my place of work (CINCFLEET) was awarded an MBE for organising a golf tournament for RN admirals. A "normal" human being has to work a lifetime with handicaped children to get one.

It's all relative - compared to the golf guy she deserves it, compared to the woman working with handicaped children she doesn't.

 

[Sybarite]

<< but maybe not immediately worth that status? >>

Look at what she has already achieved.

John

 

[seashaw]

Re: Just one question Kevin.

- if it was that easy why isn't everyone having a crack at it.

Well give me a few million pounds and I'll have a go.

mark

 

[l'escargot]

Re: Just one question Kevin.

[ QUOTE ]
Well give me a few million pounds and I'll have a go

[/ QUOTE ]
You have to try harder than that to get people to sponsor you!

 

[jointventureII]

Yeah admittedly my opinion has been somewhat changed.

For some reason I could never have seen her not breaking the record, if not now then i'm sure in the near future.

 

[aitchw]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why Not??

Don't you think this has been done to death? Just accept the fact that she's done what she's done and been given her reward. No amount of bitching will change it and she remains a remarkable and very genuine ambassador for the sport.

If you think it so easy get out there and see what you can achieve over a ten year period starting with nothing.

 

[Stingo]

She certainly deserves it more than that gum-chewing twat that manages some football team

 

[jonjo]

Why?

Because she is British and she is now the world record holder of one of the toughest endurance feats.

Why over analyse the situation?

 

[Oldhand]

Could you have done it? How many people on this planet do you think have the stamina, mental attitude, courage and determination to achieve a single handed round the world sailing record? How many people could have sorted out B&Q's generator problems while "racing" with virtually no sleep? Could you have climbed B&Q's mast and effect repairs at sea when already totally exhausted? How many people have attempted it? About 7 I beleive. Doesn't that make Dame Ellen something special?

I don't think you have tried to put yourself in her place during the voyage, she unreservedly deserves all the accolades she has received and not to be belittled by people who obviously don't understand what it takes.

 

[halcyon]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why??

A number of British sailors could have done what Ellen did. I go back to Robin Davie did 3 BOC's in a 20 year old production yacht, sailed 2000 mile one leg without a rudder, while still racing. Sailed round Cape Horn under jury rig another BOC, and yes his normal sleep pattern while racing was a max of 20 minutes a time. So doing a little gen repair or quick bit of mast repair would be light relief. Also did Ellen work in a war zone putting out tanker fires and towing them in, to raise money to do the BOC ?. In addition he did a number of Trans Atlantic single handers.
What did he get for his exploits ?, a lot of bills on his return.
I was pleased she did, I was proud on her return, but this hero whorship is now getting down, .

Brian

 

[Talulah]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why??

I've kept out of the discussion so far. However, for what's it worth I think that the biggest disappointment about the whole thing is that she did it for herself, nobody else. It's a shame she didn't do it for some charity ie NSPCC.

 

[nicho]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why??

You mean it's Dame Alex Ferguson??? Didn't know that!!

I have to confess to smiling every time I hear of "Dame Ellen", just as I do when I hear of "Dame Kelly Holmes". The thought of a rather butch ex squaddie such as Kelly carrying the title is completely innapropriate in my view. For sure, they both earned, and deserve an Honour, but Dame?? I personally don't think so. Can't get the vision of a Pantomime Dame out of my head when I hear it - I don't blame the two individuals involved, but the whole Honours System, which seems to give wholly innapropriate honours to most of those deserving recognition.

 

[l'escargot]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why??

[ QUOTE ]
I've kept out of the discussion so far. However, for what's it worth I think that the biggest disappointment about the whole thing is that she did it for herself, nobody else. It's a shame she didn't do it for some charity ie NSPCC.

[/ QUOTE ]

She did the RTW for B&Q because they paid for it, but if you look here you will see she actually does do a lot for charity and has done for some time (for children as well!).

 

[ParaHandy]

its an election year and T Bliar can't stop himself taking initiatives etc etc

 

[nicho]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why??

It was "a good time to bury bad news" Douglas - more a political stunt than anything else.

 

[KevB]

Re: Dame Ellen?? - Why?? Because blair needs a feel good factor

If I didn't have to get up 5 days a week and do some real work, Yes I could have probably done it. With a little bit of training of course.
Francis Drake and Knox-Johnson did it properly. It was their skill that got them round, not the skill of the team back on land giving the orders.
Ellen was just the token human on board, it could have been anyone with enough incentive and guts to do it.