America's Cup - Just Sail

Is the decision not to sail hurting the public's perspective, and view of the America's Cup? And, competitive sailing in general? The only word that comes close to being a household word in regards to sailing is the America's Cup. (At least in the U.S.) That is usually the most common link of competitive sailing to the general public. Now, here it is showcased, being televised live on ESPN2, and some non-sailors, even casual observers are tuning in to see what happens next. (This might even be better than Joe Millionaire, Survivor, other trash reality shows, and may even eliminate the Lifetime channel - sorry, just wishful thinking on my part) There are even people in the office asking me what I think, and looking for rule explanations. Asking, why did they do this, and why is the boat like this, what takes so long for this? But, after a week of watching the first three races' repeats, I think the masses are drifting away. The interest is waning.

Granted, you want to be competitive and have a good race, but just because the wind is a little light and the shifts are a bit much, is that a good enough reason not to sail? Alinghi obviously doesn't think so. Why do both sides have to agree to race when the wind is just not quite where it should be? Watching the race committee talk to the skippers on the radio, and seeing the TNZ sit under a tarp in the shade -- now that is boring. Ok, maybe there is a lot at stake, and TNZ has their back against the wall, and don't forget the money involved. Money and sponsors that must be having second thoughts right about now.

So we wait like a fine wine, until it's time. How many people will have had their fill by now and lost interest? I'm not talking about the sailors; they'll stick around because they love it, but the general public. This looks like a big P.R. mistake. It's all the perspective of the sport, which stimulates interest and gets that person to want to take that first ride, and makes the sport grow. Sponsors like people to get excited about an event, watch the coverage, watch the commercials, then buy their cars, and drink their beer. They don't even have to be sailors to do that.

Look at NASCAR. Boy, have they packaged that up nicely?! I don't even like NASCAR. I don't even pay attention to NASCAR. But, just by osmosis, I can name the top drivers and know who leads in the points and where the next race is running. Just glance at the sports page or watch Sportscenter. Do we need sailing to that level? Well, it would be nice, but not likely. Although, the boats are getting sponsors' names all over sails and boats. We don't have an infield, but do have plenty of water. I've heard too many times before, people say they'd rather watch paint dry than sailing. That doesn't bother me, because I don't believe it. Show them some action, sailing, not floating. Nice P.R. work on their part.

Ok, so you don't care about the general public and their view of sailing, but the new sailors have got to come from somewhere. And, people need to support the sponsors in these elite events or they go away. Maybe the next Cup will be on mutihulls. (We can only hope.) That would be great and certainly add some excitement. Maybe they could have beach cats race first in a couple of races, like pro boxing has the under card matches, then bring on the America's Cup multihulls as the main event.

Ok, this is getting long and drawn out. I'm bored, I'm working out of town, I'm tired of the cold, and ready to sail -- watching it might help though. Just Sail America's Cup!

Don Cook
ARC22

I see your point and I too am disappointed that the party I had for the race Friday night ended up with no racing. However, I do ask you to consider this: had they raced on Friday, or Saturday, with the winds as they were - would it have kept non-sailors interest? Shoot no. They would have lost interest in the ensuing drift-fest so fast they probably wouldn't have seen ONE of those damn Lincoln commercials. You said it yourself when you said “Show them some action, sailing, not floating”. Also consider how the race committee would have been criticized had the race turned into a crapshoot regardless of the end result. In those conditions the RC is damned if they do damned if they don’t but I’m with them and think they’ve made the best call …keep the fridge stocked, we’ll be racing soon enough!

(Go NEW ZEALAND!).

P.S. – wouldn’t you think there is a point where beating an advertisement into the public’s minds so repeatedly would actually make them think less of your product? Man, I’m starting to hate that car…and ohhh that song.

Points well taken, gentlemen!

I say unless there is no wind, or stormy weather, or lightning, let's race!

I feel sailing is more of an art than a sport, as it involves knowledge, understanding, and skill in utilizing varying water and weather conditions to the best advantage of a given boat, as well as directing and motivating crew members, and overcoming unexpected problems.

In real life, the wind is not always 15-20 knots blowing steadily from one direction. I'm sure many people sail in light, unpredictable winds, and/or high winds. I do. Are these crews unable to sail under these conditions? If ship's crews would not sail without perfect conditions, this continent may not have been colonized until steam ships were developed.

I think that sailing in light, changing winds could lead to an interesting tactical battle between the crews. I would have thought that Team NZ would have wanted to give light winds a try, as they haven't won under moderate or high winds. Maybe their boat is faster in light winds.

As for high winds, race one saw the results of sailing in that, with ripped out hardware, torn sails, and the end snapped off a boom for Team NZ. What I would like to see is all the crew leaning desperately off the windward side of the boat to prevent a capsize in heavy seas...now that would be a race!

With the races being so long anyway, and having so few periods of high drama, coupled with no US boat in the finals, I think most viewers are people with a hard-core interest in sailing. But with this extended delay, even I have been forgetting to check every day for race updates. Maybe they'll go today!

Mark Owens
1976 H16 sail# 19857

I'm still against racing these boats in the light air. It would no longer be boat and crew against boat and crew but weather team and $equipment$ against weather team and $equipment$...Sodar @ $100,000 per station, Lidar @ $450,000 per station, etc. Granted, these things are still used but they weigh in a lot less in the grand scheme of things the stronger and steadier the wind is.

Read this article for weather technology in the America's Cup

pathetic that these thorobreds are so fragile/finicky that they have to be raced in ideal conditions, my ol hobie can do better. fie!

In case everyone has not yet heard, America's Cup racing will be on tonight starting at midnight Eastern time on a taped delay, ESPN2. So either take a nap now and set your alarm, or set your VCR to record.

Thanks Mary for the info. This is what I was trying to express mighthappen the other day. Other than just being frustrated. Now the Cup has gone from prime time live coverage to a tape delayed at midnight brodcast. I'll still be hanging in there, although I may have to just tape it and watch it later.

Don

Hi Jake...

I had understood that a lot of the high-tech weather equipment and forecast info was shared between teams. That article you had a link to, in the 3rd paragraph after the pictures of the SODAR dishes, said the teams "clubbed together to share expenses." Also, I thought that no contact was allowed between the boats and any outside source from a few minutes before starting until the end of the race (unless withdrawing).
There is no doubt that preparing a competitive boat and crew for the America's Cup costs in the millions.

So race five went on under pretty good wind conditions, and Team NZ lost that (final) race as well. Their spinnaker pole breaking did not help matters. Team NZ never did try a race in lighter winds, where perhaps things might not have been so prone to break.

Mark Owens
1976 H16 sail# 19857