Feel for Tom Burton

Countries have to qualify to get an entry in each class, a stupid sailor who cannot tie a bowline would not be able qualify.   Sailing is the only sport I can think of right now in which one competitor can dramatically slow down or adversely affect another (deliberately or not), if countries could have multiple entries then the jury would be very busy deciding what was deliberate team racing.

Never thought of myself as a proper sailor, which must be why I use bowlines for many things. Can't think of a better knot to tie a rear reefing line round a boom, for instance. Or even a painter to a bow.

I do demonstrate on courses how they can undo themselves in certain circumstances, though.

The real useless knot for slippery rope is the rolling hitch. I expect the sailor from Madagascar would rightly never have bothered to learn it.

Originally posted by Rupert Never thought of myself as a proper sailor, which must be why I use bowlines for many things. Can't think of a better knot to tie a rear reefing line round a boom, for instance. Or even a painter to a bow. I do demonstrate on courses how they can undo themselves in certain circumstances, though. The real useless knot for slippery rope is the rolling hitch. I expect the sailor from Madagascar would rightly never have bothered to learn it.

The Olympic qualification system is pretty robust. I suspect the average club sailor would have a nasty surprise if they lined up against any of the qualifiers.

No, entries are strictly limited, and each country has to qualify at one of a number of international events in order to be able to send someone. Its all documented on WS web site. The only country that doesn't have to qualify are the hosts.