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26 Sep 2017 |
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  26 September. A notable anniversary.
 | | Australia II wins America's Cup © JH Peterson |
Today, 26 September, is the 34th anniversary of the day that Australia II wrested the America's Cup away from the New York Yacht Club, bringing to an end an unbroken winning streak that had lasted 132 years. With the Men at Work song “I come from a land Down Under” thumping away in the background, and the boxing kangaroo battle flag flying proudly from the forestay, the crowd chanted “Show us the keel, show us the keel...” It had been a classic underdog story. David and Goliath. The plucky Aussie battlers 0-3 down in a best-of-seven series that they came back to win 4-3.
America's Cup matches were sailied in 12M class yachts, which were not specifically fast, but well-suited to match racing. The very first 12M was launched in 1907, and continuous development of the class over succeeding decades meant that there was little room for further improvement in design. Yet enough variation existed so that racing was as much about design and construction as it was about seamanship and tactics. The ultimate expression of this, of course, was Ben Lexcen's winged keel, a design feature that possibly caused more psychological damage to the Americans than it gave physical advantage to the Australians.
Fast forward to today, and the recent 35th edition of the America's Cup was sailed (if that is the right word) in (or on) 50ft foiling catamarans with wing sails, capable of moving at four times the wind speeds, and demanding a huge and continuous input of power (hydraulic pressure), the production of which was a full time occupation for at least half the crew. The racing was fast: so fast, in fact, that some people complained that it was all over in a fizz and a spit. Followers of the AC and spectators seemed to fall into two discrete camps – those who thought that the hitech cats were cool and sexy and definitely the way to continue in the future, and those who yearned for ‘real sailing.'
 | | Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA - 35th America's Cup Match - Race 3 Start - Bermuda June 18, 2017 Richard Gladwell |
Some even suggested a return to the majestic J-Class yachts of the 1930s, arguing that yes, they were expensive, but so are AC50 foiling catamarans. Now it has been announced that the next America's Cup will indeed be raced once again in monohull boats, and the debate has opened up all over again.
One side says, “too slow, too boring, doesn't inspire youth and/or the tv audience, not even remotely exciting.”
The other side says “Test match not 20-20, ‘proper' sailing, and who cares about the non-sailing audience?”
The debate on social media is vituperative and often highly entertaining. Is the America's Cup any less of an event if it is not conducted in absolutely the fastest ‘boats' available? Does it lose cachet if the emphasis is on subtlety rather than speed? And does anyone who is passionately interested in sailing really give a damn whether the rest of the world is watching or not? Is it necessary to make the event ‘accessible' to the general public for anything other than box office reasons? Is commercialisation absolutely necessary for the continuance of the America's Cup, or will there always be a couple of eccentric millionaires willing to pour huge amounts of money into the well of prestige, and go after the bragging rights that are The America's Cup?
Standing by on 72.
Guy Nowell, Asia Editor
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