11.18.2007

BAD KARMA


What’s happening ? Do we have a specific solar erruption for the sailing world only ? Is the sport of sailing now reaching such a momentum that it can only destroy itself with bad moves and wrong decisions ? If you pile up the news of recent weeks, with the complete mess in which America’s Cup have put itself in, the totally stupid decision of ISAF regarding classes that will be used in the 2012 Olymic games, the last race of the 60ft multihulls in Transat Jacques Vabre, a race which, at the moment, will have no more boats to send across the atlantic in 2 years time as IMOCA decide to do something else (which does’nt exist now...) and Class 40 being crossed against the organisation, if you look at those two races – Jacques Vabre and Barcelona World Race - that send racing offshore the same type of boat within an height days interval, well you can only conclude that something is strongly wrong in our sport. Oh yes, I could also add the jury result for Rolex yachman of the year award. Nothing to say for Claire Leroy and crew for being awarded, but, frankly, even if Ed Baird is a great sailor who did a fantastic job behind Alinghi wheel and has a stong carrer, what Ronan Veal have done for sailing at large in promoting foiled sailing with his moth will let much more memories and led to more drastic changes in our sport.





Well, America’s Cup ?... Not sure who is really responsible on defender side, but Mr Bertarelli will stay in the history as the man who have been able to destroy the most quickly the most expensive billionaire toy. From the splendid situation where we were at the last race of the incredible final of this event followed by thousands of people on site and through the media, we have now reached ground zero in just 3 months time. Worse : I have the solid feeling that people who are pursuing an America’s Cup carreer are now doing it only for the money, not for the interest of the sport. Even if a new boat comes. They won’t be as fast as Alfa Romeo or Wild Oats. And AC reputation is going worse and worse in the regular sailing world.



People around me knows I am an America’s Cup fan, they just ask politely : “When is the next one ? still in Valencia ? “ but you can feel that they really just don’t care. What can I answer ? “Well, you know, in fact, there is a little legal problem, it could be anywhere next year on big multihulls only between Alinghi and Oracle, but also in 2009, or in 2011”. I am happy I don’t have to sell that to a potential sponsor !...



And ISAF : I am wondering if those people voting against a multihull in the games are going in the sailing clubs to see how are doing young kids who just want to have speed and fun. I am wondering if they even know about those F18 events when hundred of families come and go racing, just to have fun, sail fast, on an energetic boat. Sailing is a leasure sport, it should be fun, full of emotions, sensations, physical activity. It should be modern, appealing. If you say to young guys and girls, the best you can do for your future career is dive in a rule book to learn match racing that will prevent you to the joy of speed and fleet racing, they’ll just say “beurk” and go away.



So basically, ISAF is not only uncapable to take care of the most visible events in our sport (do they have something to do with ocean racing ? America’s Cup ? just doing the rules and sleeping in the jury room, I’am afraid...) but also make the part it is historically in charge – dinghy sailing/olympic games - as unattractive as possible for the future generations of sailing fans. Really, it is a shame.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sailing is enjoying transparency - we are seeing the motivations of the people who have ascended into the peak roles. From their actions we must understand they are not about the future but the past - not about what will grow the sport - but what will keep the politics of sailing in their favour.

I don't think this is the first time that this has occurred - just now with the internet it is more open to global opinion - I wonder how long it will take the peak officials to work out that we can see their moves for what they are.

Long live openness and transparency

PS> The cats will be back, the AC will survive and sailing will grow

derek said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tillerman said...

I doubt that the decisions of ISAF about Olympic classes and yet another legal dispute about the America's Cup will have much serious impact on the popularity of the sport of sailing.

At the grassroots level sailing is alive and well and expanding. In the Laser class I see more and more people taking part in club racing and frostbite series and local regattas and national championships and the Masters Worlds. We do it because we enjoy getting out on the water and having fun with our friends.

99% of us don't care whether the America's Cup happens in Valencia or on the moon; or whether the Olympics has an event for boats with 2,3, 4 or 5 hulls.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I have been sailing both monohulls and multihulls for over 40 yrs. and I must admit that the Most Fun Sailing I have ever had is in Cats. The Nacra 36 and a Judd Grant 32 were the fastest. I wish my body would still let me sail CATS. Why in the world would a ISAF Committee outlaw the Multihulls.?? They are THE most exciting form of sailing and have the following and support of great sailors from all over the World. I truly think this was a POLITICAL DECISION and was made in the "Back Room." with no oversight. I have recently sailed the Reynolds 33 and Still Love CATS. Albeit, very painful with BAD HIPS. Why can't we ask for a Explanation why ?? I have not heard the Reason yet. Hopefully the CATS will return.
thank you,
Les

Anonymous said...

Bien vu Gilles !
Combien je partage ton point de vue, mais il semble que dans ce milieu trop de gens aient des oeillères sans aucune vision globale...
Philippe J

Fred said...

Spot on reading. Found it via Scuttlebutt today.
Mirrors my opinion about what is going on in our sport. E.G. Love the ORMA´s but how to explain my friends about the two groups seperatly sailing the Atlantic at present. Have put you on to my linklist of yachting bloggers.

Do not agree with Tillerman that 99% do not care about the AM Cup. Just the opposite, at least this side of the pond and all the way to Japan & China.

Anonymous said...

Right on!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Tillerman that actual participation in sailing ("grassroots sailing") will be as strong as ever regardless of what happens to the Olympics or the America's Cup. People care about the America's Cup, but I think they care about it in the same way that they care about the Superbowl or the World Cup. It is a great event, but most of us will never have a chance to be part of it.

Anonymous said...

Yes sailing will stay strong, despite the incompetence of ISAF. Sadly what will disappear if we come out of the Olympics is much of the funding which comes down form "Sports Councils". Do we see it, maybe not, but it is there.