cam 0 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Some of you might know of Jim Clark (Netscape founder) from a bio of his called the "New New Thing" from several years ago (really good read). Super bright, super wealty, super independant thinker type guy, he built the biggest sloop of the day several years ago (hyperion). Have subsequently heard he drove his skippers a bit loopy (to the point of walking off) trying to get his boats to be all computer controlled. Interesting life story tho, he was in the navy out of school and in a multi choice test thought all the answers were a little bit right so marked them all accordingly. The Navy thought he was trying to cheat the scoring system, so put him on the delinquents program, basically menial dirty work, but eventually one of his seniors realised he was actually a maths prodigy and put him thru the college program, then he subsequently started silicon graphics and then netscape. Anyway he wrote this letter to fellow J-boat owners which shows another side to him http://www.yachtingworld.com/supersail/ ... ass-racing seems he is trying to get some structure to charitable giving by the owners and limits around the spend and professional use of crews in this class (or one regatta he will take part in at least) Can't imagine the super wealthy like being told what to do or how to spend their loot, altho imgaine most of them probably already give sizeable portions to charity. At least this makes it a publicly visible program of giving that offsets the enormous spend at this level of the sport (altho probably matched by formula one, horse racing, football club ownership etc...). Good on him I reckon. Can't hurt the sport having something massively visible like that. He seems a natural contrarian, like quite a few contributors here I'd say. Altho if he is feeling guilty about the spend maybe someone should point him to the laser class. Have we got a solution for you Jim. Donate your J-Class to the NZ sailing trust, and here is your (2nd hand) laser. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubthumper 0 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Didn't it come out that all 25(or thereabouts) crew were paid? He just didn't know. I heard he was just bitter cos he got spanked. Things will get better with the 2 new J's and the refitted Endeavour. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 How did he get spanked if he didn't compete? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubthumper 0 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I think it was a practice day or something, maybe he pulled out before the race finished? Only know half the story... as usual Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 More than I know The proposal sounds interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
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