i did not mean that anyone can just go out and sail in the worrell. i have a pilot's license, and am completely competent to fly gliders in vfr conditions. i know what to do in the event of a tow rope breaking on tow (happened once at 200 feet). i know how to land the airplane (even in 30 knot crosswinds). i have had the training and am prepared (as best as possible) for what might occur. i do not try to fly in instrument conditions or even take off in cross wind conditions over 12 knots (the wind picked up while i was in the air). when i fly, i bring a radio (to talk to the ground station), cell phone, compass, gps... i do not depend on these items and have indeed had failures of various equipment at different times, but i have them in case something goes wrong. this is what i meant when i stated "if i fall over and never see the boat again, i have an epirb and someone from the coast guard will come and get me". i should have said might or should come and get me. again, we take risks every day. just how big a risk we are willing to take should be based on our training, skill, and preparedness. if you are not prepared and do not have the skill, you shouldn't enter the race. you don't see me entering the race. i'm sure there are things that you (all of you) will do now that you would not attempt at some earlier time in your life because you are prepared for what might occur, but were not prepared before.