From The Feedback - 15/03/01

What do you think is going on here? It is a shame to see the USA join the Australians as non-starters at this year's Admiral's Cup. The commitment to the event amongst Farr40 sailors in the UK is clear. Over a month prior to the trials, no fewer than five of the eight entries were training on Southampton Water last weekend, while two others were in transit from the Miami SORC event. Given the strength of the owner -driver rules in the Farr40 and Mumm30, classes wouldn't it be wise to consider a change in format to embrace this popularity? On another note perhaps international team yachting events are losing their popularity. The Admiral's, Kenwood and Southern Cross Cups all appear to be suffering the same fate. Given that the IC45, Sydney 40 and Farr40 Worlds will all be held in the UK in the forthcoming season, could there possibly be any greater potential for assembling teams in the same classes for the Admirals Cup? Ultimately it appears a lack of faith in the process of chartering a boat not regularly raced by it's crew at any level, let alone the standard set by the Farr40 and Mumm30 fleets, is affecting the will to invest in The Admiral's Cup. This makes good business sense if considering the concept of risk and reward. Why put faith in fellow team members without runs on the board?

From Aidan S. Bolger,
What do you think is going on here? If Farr had managed the Corel 45 class in the same manner as the Farr 40 class (cheque writers driving) you would have a ton of IC45s. There are none in North America and the one available was scooped and taken back to Europe. I know, I wanted to buy it and represent Canada in the Admiral's Cup. I now have a Farr 47 but would like to compete in 2003 because that, in my opinion, is the time it is going to take to get organized. We haven't been there since 1985. The generous offer of £1.00 charter last CMAC for a Sydney 40 had limited success in my opinion. Althouhg it's a great gesture, nobody has one in north America. If I compete in the Admiral's Cup that will be my lifetime achievement much akin to an olympic campaign. In a bigger boat I still have the opportunity to compete. We recently started the sponsorship campaign here in Toronto last week for 2003. With Champagne Mumm departing, I hope there will still be an event in 2003. In business I have two axioms: " You cannot sell anything if you do not ask your buyer to buy." Simple but you would be surprised how many people miss the point. And second: "Make it easy for the buyer to buy." Maybe someone should take heed of those two axioms if they want continued success in the Admiral's Cup.

From Mr Butler,
What do you think is going on here? It appears to be a passive/aggressive stance against the apparent demise of IMS and the strength of one-design and the burgeoning IR2000 classes. The American reasoning does not seem sound. They would go with an IMS 50, but not spend the money for a Sydney 40, when someone is willing to go with an IC45 - silly.

From John Harper,
What do you think is going on here? Sounds to me like the rewards don't justify the costs. Too much money for yachts and crew. Too little time after commitments at home. Dumb boats. Things that are more fun already filling up the sailing calendar and maybe just "burnout". It seems to be a problem these days, doesn't it?

From R Grant
What do you think is going on here? Just because we have five million millionaires or whatever the figure was, doesn't mean any of them want to spend their money on sailboat racing. It is just not as popular over here. In fact, I think the fact that no one in the U.S. is interested, shows our millionaires' intelligence. The owner-driver thing has really taken off. Sydney 40s appear to be, by all accounts, slow, and without a preponderance of individually owned IC 45s there simply won't be the interest like that of the Farr 40 owners. There's no conspiracy or anything. Hey, the game only gets played if there are willing and able participants. Right now, we have the able, but not the willing. It's funny though...perhaps things would have worked better if Phillipe Khan's Pegasus hadn't won our 40 trials. While I don't know him, or anyone who sails with him, there were rumors at trials time that if he didn't win, he would charter an IC45 and fill that role. The US team wasn't the only one to back out! No New Zealand, no Australia. These two are traditionally marquis teams. Why focus only on America?

From Jay Crum,
What do you think is going on here? I am an American racing sailor who can provide you with some insight on the Admiral's Cup situation. Ironic as it seems, the Farr 40 trials sank the team. Recognizing the weakness of the first teammate, potential sponsors, and benefactors, withdrew their support. Making the type of boat the event is sailed in the issue, externalises the cause of withdrawl, and provides a way to save face. If the Admial's Cup is to prosper, it will have to take a hint from the America's Cup, and control the trials.