Losing interest in America’s Cup

by Roger Marshall
Interesting story on the America’s Cup, but I wonder who is deluding who (whom?). To quote, “it’s the last great sporting event that hasn’t been commercialized.” The America’s Cup was commercialized in the 1930’s when Sir Thomas Lipton (he of Lipton Tea), entered the fray.

The America’s Cup used to be interesting in that hull shapes somewhat resembled the boats that everyday sailors sailed. Gear such as winch design, headstay foils, sail development directly trickled down to the guy who goes out for an afternoon sail. The America’s Cup was the World Series of day sailing. The Admiral’s Cup was the Superbowl of offshore sailing. The boats of the time were similar to boats the average sailor owned and could easily relate to.

In those days, there were challenger trials and defender trials, all with a path to the finals. The buildup may have been slow, out of sight of most spectators, but it lasted all summer and crested in September. It was closely followed by sailors all over the world. I remember being called by a friend from Sweden during the Australia-Freedom series. He was in a restaurant and put me on speaker for all to hear. I heard the roar when I told him Australia was ahead. None of that would happen today.

Today the America’s Cup caters to spectators by going around a short course that is, frankly, boring as all hell. As soon as one boat gets in front, it’s over. The boats have little trickle down for the average guy except for, maybe electronics. The America’s Cup sailors wear helmets, talk on radios, cycle or wind handlebars to charge the batteries. Where does that relate to today’s sailor? Do you put grandma on a bicycle to fuel your Sunday afternoon cruise? Do you ask your wife and kids to wear helmets and talk into microphones while eating Oreos?

I can see the need for speed, after all, every America’s Cup sailor tries to make the boat go faster, be it a J Class, a 12-meter or any of the other AC boats, but frankly the spectacle has become very narrow and very boring with absolutely no buildup. Even SailGP does better, in that it has a series, a gradual build up, and a final event. But even that has become a highly specialized, made-for-TV event.

That is why the America’s Cup is dying.