Just trying to get your attention, sort of like the National Enquirer headlines. Here's the situation. Carl Roberts says he is thinking about having a female crew again in the 2003 Worrell 1000. Here is part of what I wrote back to him about it by e-mail:

I guess I should clarify my feelings about women racing in events like that. I think it would be fine for two well-qualified women to race together on the same boat. But, in many cases, I do not think it is safe for a man and woman to race together. My reasoning is that this makes an already dangerous race even more dangerous for the man on the boat -- not necessarily for the woman. I think it is important for each of the people on the boat to have the strength to rescue the other person. When you have people of disparate weight and strength capabilities, it is more dangerous for the heavier and stronger of the two. I, for instance, would have a hard time hauling Rick back aboard the boat if he were injured or unconscious. Two women racing together would probably have more equal abilities to rescue each other, just as two men do.

I just wanted you to know that my opinion is not sexist -- just based upon common sense and safety concerns for the men. My opinion might be the same about you (Carl) sailing with a smaller, weaker male -- but a man usually has considerably more muscle and strength per body size than a woman does.

You men always seem to think in terms of being the rescuer and you don't think about having to be the rescuee.