RIP Y&Ying forum?

I actually think it’s a terrible statement - suggesting that culturally endemic behaviour is common place across all aspects of female life is grossly insensitive and inaccurate. It could even be seen as an attempt to seek a level of justification through generalisation, even if accepting behaviours are wrong and need addressing.

Creative Arts, many professions, different European nations and other sports have most certainly embraced the core tenets of #MeToo - cultural change was demanded, All Men listened and corrective measures were applied.

Even that doesn’t by any means suggest that equality has been realised, as the Gender Pay Gap shows, however the fact that the CBI and Etchells class remains quite SO archaic is frankly an utter embarrassment to their wider associations.

I would caution anyone, especially men, claiming this behaviour couldn’t happen in their sailing environments - the original complainant references ALL men of sailing; if there’s one duty we can’t shirk, it’s the one where we listen, not challenge, not defend. There is no defence. There is no place to leave friends or crew mates unchecked if they are out of line. Not now, not anymore. Just as we wouldn’t at a work function where our careers would be on the line for any blind eyes turned, even if not actively engaging ourselves.

It should have ended decades ago, along with galley duties for wives, implied or directly on rota; and calling mums helping at opens ‘trolley dollies’ … best we don’t get into crew politics, where even one of the most popular mixed couple double handlers had a known saying about ‘never screw your crew’ … followed by the wry wink in the gents changing room.

it’s 2023, time for all men of sailing to listen and affect change.

Edited by turnturtle - 27 Apr 23 at 6:04pm

I agree - when I read it I was shocked as they just seemed to make it worse. If they were going to put anything out then it probably needed to say "we have asked the victim to provide us with details of the men involved and will take steps to ban them from ever competing in our class again". 

Will be a surprise if the Etchells class do anything other than a strong worded reply, the offenders are probably high up in the Class. World sailing will be more effective.

Originally posted by Sussex Lad It may be seen as cancel culture by some. To others it will be seen as "oi,  I say old chap, your behaviour isn't acceptable here so you can jolly well f*** off "

Can't say I've experienced the sort of behaviour the Etchells lady describes at any time during my 40 odd years in the sport. In fact several of my friends met their other half through the sport. But my daughter experienced some very inappropriate behaviour towards females while on an intensive residential DI course at a well known commercial sailing centre. An informal complaint to the centre management went nowhere, but rather than take it further two of the females decided the sport wasn't for them.