Extreme 40's circuit: Sport or show?
The Extreme 40's are certainly fun boats to watch and when the breeze gets strong there is plenty of dramatic action as they pitch pole, capsize and collide. This is exactly what took place on Sunday, second day of the Extreme Sailing Series at Cowes Week. According to the official press release, "approaching the windward mark Yann Guichard’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild hit Franck Cammas’ Groupama 40 wiping out both rudders, leaving Groupama with no steerage whatsoever. Groupama 40 were heading straight for the shore at speed and for safety the crew leapt into the water to avoid the impact of hitting the sea wall – deciding they would prefer getting wet than being thrown forward on the boat and potentially injuring themselves."
That produced some undoubtedly spectacular footage but is that the aim? To have crash and burn races where the sporting result is of no significance as long as you have spectacular mishaps? After all conditions in Cowes on Sunday were identical to what the 11-strong RC44 fleet experienced in Valencia on Thursday and Friday. The breeze was between 15 and 20 knots throughout the day, with a few gusts at 21-22 knots, and the choppy sea didn't make things any easier. Yet, there was hardly anything that would even get close to what took place in Cowes. Is the Extreme 40 circuit designed in such a way as to put much more emphasis on the show rather than the sport?
Groupama's Extreme 40 crashes on the concrete pier after being hit. Cowes, 1 August 2010. Video copyright Extreme Sailing Series
Labels: Extreme 40
12 Comments:
Tsk tsk - uncharacteristically whiny comment, Pierre
Both should be the aim.. you're forgetting the high level racing...
Not whiny at all, and quite accurate. What Pierre says bears directly on the America's Cup, do we really want it to become dodgem cars on the water, or a demolition derby?
I recently watched the 49er medal race from the last Olympics on Youtube, and couldn't help but be appalled at how badly it reflected on the sport of sailing. Adopting the same crash and burn attitude to the America's Cup might attract a few more punters in the short term but result in a serious loss of credibility for the event in the long term.
I sense a little bit of monohull prejudice.
In any case the E40 circuit is linked to AC34 boat's choice. If monohull, they close the house.
This said, show and fun are important.
Totally agree Pierre, thanks for speaking up.
It's probably a mixture between sport and show. The question is more does the results really matters? Probably only the sponsor of the teams and the teams care.
The same question could be asked for the RC44 circuit or Audi MedCup.
What is the ultimate goal of this events? Prepare a team and sailors for the AC?
An ISAF world cup sailing event has a clear defined purpose: Olympic preparation and on the way you can win continental and world championship titles.
Should we consider the commercial events such as AudiMedCup, RC44 etc. simply as a business opportunity who give x sailors, and other professionals a job?
What is the ultimate goal or purpose of this events?
this does say mach of Frank Camas and his crews seamanship They could tried to drop the main and jib to slow down the inpact.....
As soon as sponsorship is involved show is involved. If it takes risk of life and goods to satisfy the sponsor there better be some wise decisions from those in charge of the sport.
Show
I don't venture in to blogs too much, but felt like responding for once - I think you should ask the Olympic medalists, America's Cup sailors, Round the world record holders, and top pro crew competing in the Extreme Sailing Series if really the racing is just a show...this is a very hard event to win on the water, the racing is as competitive as it gets...and yes, absolutely, the short course part of the format (we do a day of 'normal' [boring for everyone but the sailors] racing now at each event before public village opens, plus in Cowes a long course race in the morning - this balance is important to us) absolutely entertains the public, media, and VIPs as well. There isn't a team or any part of the event that doesn't have to paid by commercial means, there is no private owner indulging the sailors desires, it has to make commercial sense. That is the sponsorship world, and sailing has to fight for its case. And, for once, we've found a way to make sailing ALSO entertaining at the same time as being top level. But at no time is the sporting aspect compromised, just open your mind to how this sport can exist at the top level and exist in a tough sport business marketplace. The Extreme Sailing Series team....
When you look at where the Americas Cup is after 160 years and where the Extreme Sailing Series is after 4 you've got to take your hat off to Turner and his his team.
They have created something quite unique within our rather conservative sport. Something that satisfies the sailors, the cmmercial partners, sailing fans, non sailing fans and the media and they've done it without tens of millions of dollars.
Keep at it guys sailing needs you.
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