Comments on: 40 Advance In Youth America’s Cup Process

By: Person who knows a little

Person who knows a little — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:29:24 +0000

Dont know where u got that information from. Sailing has many world class female sailors around the world. They have 4 whole Olympic classes dedicated to just females and one class that is mixed out of 10 classes.

Could there be a few female applicants that would have made good contributions to the team? Maybe. But the selection committee probably didnt think their potential was as high as the rest of the people who made it.

Also what is wrong with some of the people who post on this blog. Why does everything have to be a race issue and the few times its not a race issue its a gender issue. I can understand legitimate cases of discrimination but it seem a this stage people are crying foul play with everything.

By: Tania Stafford

Tania Stafford — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:29:21 +0000

Try telling that to Dame Ellen MacArthur!

By: swing voter

swing voter — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:33:18 +0000

nah….cud say the same for the choices for the new shared parenting research council members…all female! Thanks minister Pamplin

By: jt

jt — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:56:07 +0000

You, as a female (or male actually) could only be upset if you weren’t chosen but had out performed one of the 40 who were selected.
You sound like someone with a wall full of those participation ribbons that seem to be so prized these days.

By: Madeleine

Madeleine — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:39:52 +0000

I think the point cmbbda is trying to make here is that it is not necessarily the fact that no women were selected that is most problematic, but rather that the underlying societal issues that the lack of representation by women in the selected group indicates. The lack of representation likely reflects the fact that young Bermudian women may not be encouraged to participate in sailing to the same level as young men are. It is not hard to see that, as easily as looking at some of the comments below, that many people seem to think of sailing as a ‘man’s sport,’ a truly inane assumption evidenced by the very existence of many world-class female sailors. I have no doubt that if there was more emphasis placed on encouraging women to become involved in sailing, and if sufficient dedication was made on behalf of sailing organisations in developing their talent, that there would be a good number of women comprising the squad.

By: hmmm

hmmm — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:10:43 +0000

Don’t be a sore loser !By taking part and attempting to qualify you already did more than a large % of the eligible population. Be proud that you gave it a shot and use the experience to make you stronger and more determined in the future.

By: hmmm

hmmm — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:06:51 +0000

Perhaps you needed to be in the top 10% to make the cut. This cut was passing the minimum standards. the second round will be tougher I expect.

Just because someone really wants or hopes someone to be in the team, doesn’t mean that they will make the team or cut, especially when the numbers are run and they were outperformed.

By: birdlegs

birdlegs — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:55:57 +0000

Are there any administrative jobs that the females could do? Isn’t that an important aspect of any sport? That would have given some of the ladies valuable experience. Perhaps the selectors need to think about this aspect as well.

By: Invested

Invested — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:29:35 +0000

Hey folks, this is simply an announcement of the advancement of 40 athletes so far. It’s not the final team. There is another tryout in December. The requirements aren’t only physical and mental, there is specific paperwork required. If you weren’t born here and don’t have a Bermudian passport, that’s grounds for ineligibilty. That age group also happens to be prime time for college. Do we know what the ratio of males to females trying out actually is before we make assumptions? Let’s hope that if there are females that haven’t tried out as yet, they do so in December. Only a handful make it on the boat. If we don’t see them there, we may see them in other crucial roles on shore. In the end, it’s all the same team representing our island.

By: Maritimer

Maritimer — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:09:28 +0000

people dont seem to understand the physical demands being put on these sailors. As mentioned by a commentor above, its guaranteed the selectors were looking for female athletes who were fit enough, but lets be honest its just a fact of life that males are genetically disposed to be stronger and more fit. Truth be told it would be to the organisers advantage if they had a female on board in terms of publicity, support etc. However, if there were no females who were able to make the grade physically there is no reason to complain about their lack of selection. In fact putting someone onboard one of these boats who isnt up to the task, physically,may very well put the other crewmembers lives in danger. These boats are no joke. So those complaining about a lack of gender diversity need to take a second and actually think about what goes into sailing these boats.

By: skeptical

skeptical — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:09:04 +0000

So if you as a female was told that you outgrinded 80% of the males that showed up, swam and sprinted with ease and the person who did the interview part said that they really wanted to see you as part of the team, what are you supposed to think? Oooops, if only you were a male!

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:30:54 +0000

It would have been helpful if the organizers had explained why there are no females on the squad when they announced the successful participants, rather than be seen to be unaware or insensitive to the fact that it’s an all-male representation. Ironic that Jane Savage feels this group is an accurate demographic slice of our community.

By: berm

berm — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 04:47:30 +0000

What are the fitness tested at the try out?

By: Common Sense

Common Sense — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 02:29:23 +0000

I can almost guarantee the selectors were looking for females who could meet the demanding physical requirements of an exceedingly tough sport, and make no mistake the physical tests were gruelling for males and females who were being judged on an equal basis. If they didn’t quite make it then it would be wrong to accept females at the expense of a male or males who did met the criteria. I just hope there is at least one young lady out there who can make the grade but she will have to be exceptionally tough to do so.

By: ORBC

ORBC — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 01:47:28 +0000

the boys have also gone back to college?

By: Colourless

Colourless — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 01:37:01 +0000

It would appear to be an all-male sport, unfortunately!

By: Onion Juice

Onion Juice — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 01:13:51 +0000

Nice diversity.
Things are looking up.

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:43:21 +0000

Women are more than welcome to try out, but it has to be understood that this isn’t about equal representation, this is about who can perform to the high levels of mental, emotional, physical and endurance stress that is required to handle one of those flying boats. The final selectees will also have to show tremendous abilities to function in a team unit. I believe there are women out there who could do this, but from what I saw at the initial assessments, there was very few women trying out, far below the demographic representation. It’s a shame.

By: nicky

nicky — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:20:22 +0000

“After our first cut, we’re satisfied the athletes still standing reflect the diversity of our community – both demographically and athletically,” was stated by the selectors? Where are the females? Do they not reflect 50% of the demographics! Come on are you kidding!

By: ORB

ORB — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 23:22:04 +0000

So congrats to the list, great mix of sailors and non sailors but REALLY disapointed not to see any girls. Is that dues to the lack of entrants or is this another All male sport….
My child sails and she definately want to try out when she gets of age…..

By: Zario

Zario — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:30:08 +0000

Maybe the boys that they beat out didn’t make it either.

By: Zario

Zario — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:28:51 +0000

Maybe they didn’t pass the physical?

By: Izzypop

Izzypop — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:22:46 +0000

Couple of the girls have gone back to college

By: Fidel

Fidel — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:13:35 +0000

well done !!!!!

By: Lifelife

Lifelife — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 22:05:29 +0000

Unfortunately it’s in females DNA that the peak of athleticism for them is less than males. They are looking for success.

By: skeptical

skeptical — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 21:36:17 +0000

I know there were girls that out did the boys in severalccategories! What happened to them!

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 21:29:31 +0000

Some look like they are really happy, as they should be. A few look like it is a mug shot.

By: Tania Stafford

Tania Stafford — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 20:32:55 +0000

Where are the girls?

By: Cmbbda

Cmbbda — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 20:18:16 +0000

Apparently its also a requirement they must be male! Why even waste the ladies time to let them try out??