From the feedback - 5/4/01

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From Mark Nicholson
What would you do with the Admiral's Cup? I think the answer lies with one-designs. The objective is to attract top sailors competing for their country. The Admiral Cup needs to compete against other regattas to get in those top sailors' diaries. By using three good quality classes, preferably ones sailed worldwide, there can be a choice for nations to charter yachts in the UK/Europe or bring their own. It has become too difficult and expensive to put campaigns together, combined with having other regattas to choose from, which has, I think, resulted in low interest.

From Stephen White
What would you do with the Admiral's Cup? The demise of The Admiral's Cup in 2001 could be the ideal trigger for a new era in international yacht racing. There can be little doubt that a successful future for international teams events requires direction and common ground between owners, national bodies and clubs. Possibly the most prudent course of action would be to talk to the hosts of other international teams events - Kenwood and Southern Cross Cups - while consulting with owners and national bodies to create a series of events with a consistent basis of classes and/or rating systems. Maybe another teams event could be held in the Med to create a series of four events across the globe? Regarding the issue of cost and transport, sponsorship by an international hotel group, shipping company and airline to provide heavily discounted services in exchange for naming rights would be of great support. Further events could be managed in conjunction with local tourist authorities to be promoted in a festival-type atmosphere and boats located in public areas to attract interest of enthusiasts and passers-by. There can be little doubt that the key to making such a series of events a success is agreement and management. Perhaps ISAF or the ORC should play a greater role in international yacht racing reducing the demands on host clubs and federations? Issues such as support from classes, venue, clashes with other events and media coverage all need to be addressed. The fix will not come easy if The Admiral's Cup is to continue in 2003 and beyond.

From Paul Browning
What would you do with the Admiral's Cup? The Admiral's Cup should remain an offshore event, so the types of boat must reflect this. However, one-design racing makes it easier for everyone to know what's happening, and if the classes are chosen appropriately, there should be enough boats around for any country to enter. For the crews - the buzz that has been generated by having the Farr 40 in open selection has been amazing. Here at last is a chance for anyone to have a crack at a national team place. No more the professional only - 'who do you know' syndicates. It is something that motivates and inspires at all levels of the sport, gives crews that ambition that - one day - I really could do it. Keeping a Cat 1 element of crew selected in open trial will ensure that the Admiral's Cup is significantly differentiated from the Volvo and America's Cup events. This will provide a motivation to everyone in the sport that the other two events cannot hope to generate. Oh - And will US Sailing be giving us all back our wasted fees for Eligibility Rulings? I was training with Farr 40 Bit of a Fling - but have now gone back to Mumm 30s 'cos the campaign is off.

From James Grant
Bad news for the future of sailing sponsorship? Sailing sponsorship is doomed. With the high cost of sailing, and the complete lack of high exposure media, sailing has again fallen into the hands of the rich men. When you look at the vast amounts of money it costs to compete in any discipline of sailing, from America's Cup to campaigning an Optimist, dollar per media just does not equate. Things were definitely looking up when Australian skiff racing broke onto national TV, with Lawrie Smith spearheading the Ultra 30s. As a sailor you could see the light and sailing really might have a commercial value. Since then America's Cup has gone from strength to strength and has become every rich sailor's dream to be involved in. With all the large amounts of money being thrown around, you can see why every marketing director of any large commercial organisation gets scared. With this in mind, I would like to say that the likes of Ian Walker, Andy Beadsworth and Adrian Stead have done an outstanding job of bringing sponsors into the sports, and making sure any brand associated with their names, received their money' worth and then some. The only event worth being involved with as a commercial organisation, is the Tour Voile, who have done an excellent job of putting a complete media package together whilst not being overpriced. So for the rest of the sailors who are looking for money, stick to rubbing shoulders with the wealthy, or receiving a few freebies and discounts from companies within the trade. I'm sure the cycle will come around again one day.

From Jesse Falsone
Carbon spars to move into mainstream dinghies? The 505 class, along with the FD and Fireball, are in the research stages for carbon mast implementation. The 505 class recognises that there will be opposition within the association to such a dramatic change. However, class officers in these mainstay performance one-designs recognize that new technology developments need to be researched if these classes wish to continue drawing performance-minded sailors. The key for the 505 class and others is production technology improvements paving the way for reduced costs. Another hurdle will be to overcome stereotypes about carbon fibre being fragile, UV-susceptible, and expensive to own and maintain. As witnessed by the 505 class' (preliminary) acceptance of a larger spinnaker, those sailors wishing to compete at the world level seem to favour changes that produce a faster, more exciting boat. I suppose the jury is still out as to whether this change or a switch to carbon fibre masts will polarise the class. Any carbon spar manufacturer wishing to work with the 505 class, and others we are associated with, can feel free to contact me or the international officers.