At the risk of sounding like Martyn Lewis, the former BBC newsreader panned for wanting more 'good news' broadcast, there seems to me to be some niggardly decisions being made by the scribes who belong to the committee of the Yachting Journalists' Association.
Here they are the hacks who earn their bread and butter from observing the sailing of others, deliberately consigning the nominations for a teenage solo circumnavigator to receive their annual gong to the re-cycling bin.
Surely a 17-year-old sailing alone around the world - part of that voyage in the feared Southern Ocean - is worth acknowledging? I do not know how many of them have sailed around the world single-handed, but this is a mule-headed decision whichever way up you view it.
In an age where teenagers are dying on the streets of Britain from stab wounds, a sound lad like young Mike should be 'flagged up' as a beacon of hope to the dysfunctional, the dispossessed and the damned.
Shame on you YJA.
For the full story see Yachting Monthly's January issue out soon.
Have your say!
Latest comments
December 01 13:46
Chris Hyde
Richard, I could not agree with you more. Armchair journalists are responsible for the death of adventurous spirit and courage in all walks of life. They can talk and that’s all, I doubt collectively they could generate enough courage to tackle the Southern Ocean for a day let alone weeks. Well done Mike, prove these idiot wrong and go on to be the icon today’s youth need and one day have your name alongside those other sailing hero’s who took no notice of the press, Chichester, Rose, Blyth, Knox-Johnston, Macarthur.
December 01 18:57
Gillie Davies
Hear hear Dick well said, I think this young lad should be heralded as a hero for all teenagers to aspire to
December 24 23:37
Ron Hughes
I quite agree , he should be held up as an example to todays youth. Well done.
February 18 13:05
Colin McGinnis
I totally agree, Mike should be hailed for what he is, a well intentioned nice young lad who at least has the courage to do something like this instead of wandering the streets or playing computer games all day. I don’t think the “YJA†should be allowed to go unchallenged. The monthlies should stand up and be counted; they have been making headlines of Mikes back. There is an argument against parents pushing their kids, but NO ONE could push someone the whole way around the world, it takes huge personal commitment and determination to complete. It would be very easy to fail. WELL DONE MIKE. Colin McGinnis RTYC