The math is actually pretty simple: Less Teams = Less Countries = Less Broadcasters = Less Exposure = Less Sponsors Interest = Less Commercial Return.
So how do we get more teams to compete? - Lower the cost significantly - Use a platform type that is available and used by a wider group (owners, sailors, designers, builders, etc.)
While the technology and cool factor of the AC72 foiling cats was impressive, it didn’t deliver a significant boost in the audience numbers to justify 1/3 of the teams competing in the last event. And for this current cycle, it once again is showing less interest in teams competing in AC62′s
Like I said when the AC62 was announced, WRONG BOAT! Nobody can afford it. Either stick with the already operational 72's or go with the already available 45's. The 45's would be so much cheaper, and with more foiling development, would be nearly as fast (30kts's instead of 40kts's, but it's all relative, until you get down to 12knts the mono slugs would be doing).
