America's Cup: Is this still sailing?

[Koeketiene]

Discuss

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0gzXt1Ms4WVQ7tyGgjTmqA

 

[Kermit]

Yes

 

[Norman_E]

Who cares about the sailing? Isn't the Americas Cup decided in the courts?

 

[Fire99]

Still sailing. Just extremely large, advanced sailing. Much in the same as in dinghy circles, a 'moth' is still sailing. My only concern with the likes of these plus 'Spin Drift 2' etc in the Fastnet, is that the push for technology and size doesn't leave 'lesser' classes out in the doldrums.

 

[Woodlouse]

Still sailing. Just extremely large, advanced sailing. Much in the same as in dinghy circles, a 'moth' is still sailing. My only concern with the likes of these plus 'Spin Drift 2' etc in the Fastnet, is that the push for technology and size doesn't leave 'lesser' classes out in the doldrums.

Thats progress for you. Everything becomes obsolete in the end, to try and prevent that is futile.

 

[Fire99]

Thats progress for you. Everything becomes obsolete in the end, to try and prevent that is futile.

Yes and no. The problem becomes where the cost goes up way way beyond inflation etc. The danger is that if existing classes are ignored, it pushes racing further up into the 'elite' where budget classes no longer exist and expensive classes get moved into 'corporate sponsorship only'.

Participation and Inclusion should never be forgotten in the march of progress.

 

[Woodlouse]

Yes and no. The problem becomes where the cost goes up way way beyond inflation etc. The danger is that if existing classes are ignored, it pushes racing further up into the 'elite' where budget classes no longer exist and expensive classes get moved into 'corporate sponsorship only'.

Participation and Inclusion should never be forgotten in the march of progress.

Until the price comes down then existing classes will remain popular. Top end racing, such as the Americas Cup has always been disproportionately expensive and always will be. Eventually however the technology will get cheaper and filter down into other areas.

Just remember there is racing out there for just about every type of boat imaginable and whilst people continue to own so many different types of boat that situation will remain.

 

[Fire99]

Until the price comes down then existing classes will remain popular. Top end racing, such as the Americas Cup has always been disproportionately expensive and always will be. Eventually however the technology will get cheaper and filter down into other areas.

Just remember there is racing out there for just about every type of boat imaginable and whilst people continue to own so many different types of boat that situation will remain.

Yeah I hear you.. The Americas Cup does seem to be in a world of its own. I won't lose too much sleep not likely being able to compete in my lifetime.

Regarding the rest. There is a little personal resentment that our sailing club has much more expensive boats racing than once did, which would be fine if numbers of boats competing hadn't greatly reduced too. 99% of races are handicap races due to there not being enough boats. I'm sure there are other factors but it does point a certain way when all the dinghies are laced with carbon fibre.

Anyway, I digress. The Americas Cup boat do look astonishing water-based aeroplanes.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Who cares about the sailing? Isn't the Americas Cup decided in the courts?

All other boat racing seems be decided by protest committees, with a wee bit of token sailing first, so the AC seems quite traditional.

 

[agurney]

Yes, in the same way that F1 is still driving a car.

 

[Iain C]

Sailing...absolutley

The worst possible design of boat for match racing and the biggest white elephant in the history of the cup...without a doubt.

 

[Sailingsaves]

Don't know, but I'l love to have a go on that boat.... without having to do any work.... just sit there and enjoy.