Would you take more interest in ........

[Racecruiser]

the Volvo Ocean race if a stipulation was that teams and perhaps sponsors had to be national?

I would get behind a UK/GB team with sponsorship from a British company(s), but throughout the current race I haven't really cared which telecom or shoe company is doing well.

Any similar views>?

 

[jamesjermain]

Agree wholeheartedly.

I would also find the America's Cup more compelling if the teams were entirely drawn from the country concerned, including designers, builders and crew

 

[BlueSkyNick]

A bit like F1 motor racing then (Not!)

When there is big bucks involved, the sponsors want the teams to be made up of the best possible resources. Agree it's a shame, but a fact of life nonetheless.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

That was the system under the old 12 metre America's Cup rule. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. Chris Dickson suddenly became a Japanese citizen, Paul Cayard became Italian, and so on.

Under the present system it is largely a question of funds - and,unfortunately, politics. Apart from the choice of designer and builder, most of the testing is done by one outfit. Most of the sails are likewise built by the same company. Same situation for equipment, deck hardware, and so on. Practically every team had Italians and Kiwis in their crews. The team owners want the best and they are willing, to varying degrees, to put up the money that buys them the best that they can afford.

The real pity is that the Alinghi mentality risks screwing up what is arguably the Formula One of sailing.

 

[Cliveshep]

I'd only take more interest if, regardless of nationality they were all (a) female and young and (b) naked!

Cue Lakesailor please!

 

[Saddletramp]

My first thought was naked, glad i'm not alone on that one

 

[Lakesailor]

Sorry. Moderators are singing to the hymn book. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pyrojames]

Risks screwing up? I thought the Americas Cup was already well and truely fcuked. Ever since the the Ozzies had the audacity to win it from the yanks.

 

[lw395]

No.
RTW races are fairly dull.
Hence the Volvo connection.