Hi Bill, I don't have the time nor energy to read all the posts your insightful article garnered. But since I have the opportunity to reply I thought I would use it. If anyone of us were of the right mind and completely concerned with safety we would keep our wingless asses on the ground. Sure part of this sport is looking good and I don't think one should fault anyone else for that. Having read Mike Swain's book, The Endless Fall, I believe it's always been this way. I want my rig to have some style and flash to it. I want mini rings and risers. I want a small reserve pack job and micro-lines. However my desire for the hottest toys don't take my eye off the prize. I realize that planet's coming no matter what and it's up to me and my equipment to get there slow enough to survive it, but fast enough to enjoy the rush. It's a delicate balance. Your own rigs are very safe. Probably the best on the market. I recently went on a tour of your facotry and got to see the Bill Ball. Very ingenious idea. For those who don't know it's a new reserve pilot chute design. However, I couldn't buy a Relative Workshop rig because of it's asthetic design. I'll take a Javelin or Mirage over it anyday. Let no-one forget it was Bill who made this sport one we can all enjoy. And I will say it time and time again, The Vector and the Micron are probably the best built container/harness systems out there. All others have stolen from Bill's original design. They just made it look better, and that Bill is why they sell better. Always was, always shall be...
