Karl, the non-sailors I've watched races with were lost well before the first mark rounding so shortening the course isn't the entire solution. Plus the courses would have be deliberately set up maximize the probability of horrific crash (close to shore of course) otherwise you’re going to lose your audience.

I also wouldn’t want short courses to be the standard just to please a non-sailing audience too much of the strategy and tactics are sacrificed in a short course. I’m not totally against short courses clearly they do a great job as part of drill regiment but as a regatta format…?