"But Pete, why do we care if people watch, unless it will definately lead to more people buying boats and getting into sailing. "

To attract advertising and sponsorship and because awareness precedes action.

Since USSailing is the ony game in town and they have declared an interest in Olympic sailing, we might as well make the best of it. One of the bigges points of contention is the 11th medal. If sailing was organized more like boxing, how many medals would there be?

Tim, I think the biggest difference in our appoaches is money. Advertising = money going out.
Sailing Olympics = sponsorship opportunity = money coming in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYA8EGzIKw