That once grand and noble sporting institution, the America’s Cup, having been in perpetual relevance deprivation since the mid 1980s, had its final nail firmly hammered into it this week, courtesy of a New York court decision allowing mechanical and computerised engines to be used in competition.
While sailing, and in particular, sailing of the super-maxi match race variety, has long been considered an elitist snob-fest (who among the general public really cares about overweight billionaires slugging it out on their $4om yachts?), the America’s Cup had at least until recently still maintained some aura of competitive sporting relevance courtesy of its extraordinary history and grand tradition.
Yet early yesterday, two time defending champions Switzerland, who are planning a hat-trick of victories by racing a catamaran off the coast of Valencia in 2010, won a court battle heard in New York to allow their multi-hull to operate its sail trims with the assistance of mechanised engines.
While American’s are often guilty of pushing the boundaries of sporting credibility, respect must be given for the response to the decision by next year’s Cup challenger, the Golden Gate Yacht Club.
“We are very pleased that today’s Court decision gives us clarity regarding the design rules that will govern AC33 (the 33rd America’s Cup). It is now crystal clear that racing rules 49 through 54 will not apply.
However, without racing rules 49-54, SNG (Nautical Society of Geneva) is breaking with the long standing history and tradition in yacht racing that prohibited the use of non-manual power. For the first time in the Cup’s history, engines will be used to trim the sails, and computers can be used to control and steer the yachts. This, we believe, is a sad day for the America’s Cup.”
Switzerland’s 90ft entrant, Alinghi V, is in itself a stunt to launch sailing into the modern technological age and draw the attention of a younger audience, despite a court ruling back in 1988 which initially ruled multi-hull craft such as Alinghi V ineligible to race in the America’s Cup.
That decision was eventually overturned yet most nations chose, out of good sportsmanship and a desire to protect the legitimacy of the Cup, not to enter catamarans for competition.
Until now.
Perhaps sailing is one sport where the basics of machine and crew battling the elements and each other should be enough to attract a following.
It is no surprise the Vendee Globe and Velux Five Oceans races, where solo sailors are tested by the brutal force of nature and loneliness as they circumnavigate the globe, have in recent years gained immense popularity and media interest.
The sporting public see those events for what they are – a challenge, a battle, a genuine contest of skill and tenacity, bravery and daring.
By stripping the race of all these elements and relying on a chip in a motherboard to do the work of experienced sailors, The America’s Cup has now ensured it will never relive its glory days.
History and tradition should still count for something.
Hansie
Guest
The only interest in the The America's Cup was whether any team could ever break the strangle hold of the New York Yacht Club. Once Australia II achieved victory, the Cup became meaningless, and just another playtoy for billionaires.
sheek
Guest
I've only ever been an occasional sailor, very occasional sailor. But I've always loved the history of The America's Cup. For a long time it seemed to be like the holy grail - the more unattainable something is, the greater your quest for it. My first AC experience was in 1970. I was laid up in a boarding school isolation room with the mumps. So I followed the America's Cup avidly. Australia was challenging with Gretel II - Frank Packer owner, Jim Hardy skipper. The Aussies lost 1-4, one of the races won reversed on the protest, & were leading when timed out in another. It was actually a mighty effort, & sowed the seeds for Australia II's success 13 years later. Losing a race on protest convinced Aussies that the Yanks were crooked. Then who could forget 1983 & Australia II's triumph - Alan Bond owner, John Bertram skipper - people blaring their car horns in the early morning pre rush hour! Later that day PM Bob Hawke announced any boss who sacked a worker for taking a sickie is a bum. Sadly, the cup became a farce when one of the Europeans, or was it the Kiwis, successfully argued in court, they could race with a catamaran. The day of the magnificent racing yachts was gone. What was once a great concept has been destroyed by greed, stupidity & people being too cute by half. Such is life sometimes.
Jason
Guest
I dont understand the court decision - on what basis did an American court make its ruling? Agree albatross. Terrible that the reigning champions can have so much say over the rules. Crazy.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
what a week for the sports in water. The AC33 ruling AND the swim suits in the Swimming world champs. both are farces and are technology left uncontrolled. Golf has a technology problem. But it doesnt remove the human element (like it does in sailing) or the level playing field (in swimming) or the record book (as it does in swimming). Golf is slowly dealing with it, changing the grooves. The golf tech has made golf more pleasureable for us amateurs. Geez, as long as they dont take away the technology for the amateurs. How would I even hit a driver, let alone straight????
albatross
Roar Pro
Is there some kind of irony in that the Confederaziun svizra suffers from chronic coastal deprivation syndrome ie. is not girt by sea?
alfonso
Guest
Had not heard of this - is this true? How unbelievable. Not much of a sailing fan but we all remember the scenes and feelings of national pride in 1983. What an awful decline for such a big sporting event. Good post.
Lazlo
Guest
Excellent post, Mathew. The ruling is a great shame, specially as it was brought at the behest of a landlocked country. I much prefer something like the Opera House Cup, no carbon steel hulls allowed. And when you look at the shots of Lipton's Shamrocks, and see the size of the mainsails, you realize that brawn was required as well as a biological brain.