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From the EditorFrom the Editor N
I sometimes wonder if we are devaluing the ultimate prize in sport, an Olympic medal I sometimes wonder if we are devaluing the ultimate prize in sport, an Olympic medal
From the Editor W
for the format for the next – 34th
hile boating activity in England may have been minimal over the past few winter months, on a worldwide basis there has been plenty of activity and developments, and to me the most exciting progress is the steady unfolding – America’s Cup. It was very predictable that the next
occasion and performed at the very top level of their chosen sport. These days a world champion is a gold medallist, a European Champion is a gold medallist, lesser events give medals. I think I have two objections to this trend, firstly the devaluation of that ultimate accolade, and secondly the boring collection of useless bits of imitation precious metal that get handed out in the name of sporting glory. Some of today’s top sailors must have very boring trophy cabinets. Where is the real silverware, the big trophies, the cut glass decanters, all the things we used to win? Even the days of pewter tankards for everything were better than some cheapskate medal. If they were genuine, solid gold, silver or bronze that would be something, but of course they’re not.
venue would be San Francisco, but it wouldn’t be the America’s Cup if there wasn’t intrigue and last ditch attempts by other venues to grab the action, and Newport, Rhode Island were in the frame for a while. Last year when I wrote in our pages about the choice of multi-hulls for the next Cup,
ow I may be a grumpy old man, but there was a time when if someone was a gold medallist, they had won it at the Olympic Games, there was nothing to compare with it, they had risen to the
ow I may be a grumpy old man, but there was a time when if someone was a gold medallist, they had won it at the Olympic Games, there was nothing to compare with it, they had risen to the
Mark Turner of OC Group said it would have very little infl uence on their Extreme 40 circuit. Yet they have announced more teams and more venues for this year, and strangely a number of the sailor’s names would be familiar to Cup followers. In fact it seems that Mark’s Extreme Sailing Series has pulled more hopeful America’s Cup sailors that the Cup organisers’ AC45 feeder circuit. I recently enjoyed a quiet chat with Grant Simmer on the terrace of the Royal Perth
I still enjoy having an evening drink out of a glass I won nearly half a century ago. If all I’d got were medals back then, I’d have thrown then out long ago.
Yacht Club. You may remember we did a story on Grant when he joined Team Origin, one of Sir Keith Mills’ smarter moves. Since Sir Keith pulled out of the Cup, Grant has been enjoying some “spare time”, and
I am also curious as to whether the three medals are as far as the prize list goes these days. The benchmark used to be that the prize list went down to the square route of the number of entries, thus if there were a hundred boats, the top ten got prizes. Does this still happen anywhere? The importance of the podium seems to have grown out of proportion. But to be more topical, are we having the barbecue summer we were promised last year? As we go to press mosBt of Jun and July have b en fabulous, lets hope it continu s through August and well into September.
t of June and July have been fabulous, lets hope it continues through August and well into September. treated us well for the Westward Cup which although only four boats sailed, provided a great spectacle, and the
and great sailing.
ut to be more topical, are we having the barbecue summer we were promised last year? As we go to press m Tohse JP Morgan Assest Management Round the Island Race was sailed in beautiful sunshine, again the weather The JP Morgan Assest Management Round the Island Race was sailed in beautiful sunshine, again the weather
sunshine stayed for Panertreated us well for the Wai Cowes Classic Week, which was a wonderestward Cup which although only four boats sailed, provided a great spectacle, and theful gathering of highly varnished gunwhales and great sailing.
occasion and performed at the very top level of their chosen sport. These days a world champion is a gold medallist, a European Champion is a gold medallist, lesser events give medals. I think I have two objections to this trend, firstly the devaluation of that ultimate accolade, and secondly the boring collection of useless bits of imitation precious metal that get handed out in the name of sporting glory. Some of today’s top sailors must have very boring trophy cabinets. Where is the real silverware, the big trophies, the cut glass decanters, all the things we used to win? Even the days of pewter tankards for everything were better than some cheapskate medal. If they were genuine, solid gold, silver or bronze that would be something, but of course they’re not.
was in Perth to speak at a fund raising lunch for the Warren Jones Foundation. Warren, some people would remember was the driving force behind Australia II’s victory in the America’s Cup in 1983. Grant has 30 years of Cup experience, and has been involved in eight Cup campaigns, his “potted history of the America’s Cup according to Simmer” was hilarious, the behind the scenes anecdotes and unabridged insights into the intrigue and politics were fascinating. He is very optimistic of the new format, new boats and new venue. There can be few more authoritative opinions than his on this particular subject. Back in the normal word, things are also intriguing, where is the British economy
best. Then I had a day motoring up the Thames from Chiswick to Shepperton, mid morning we pulled into the bank best. Then I had a day motoring up the Thames from Chiswick to Shepperton, mid morning we pulled into the bank
I spent a very sunny day motoring up and down the river at Henley during the regatta, the English summer at its to enjoy a bottle of champagne, and at lunchtime we moored at the Magpie pub in Chertsey, that’s boating.
to enjoy a bottle of champagne, and at lunchtime we moored at the Magpie pub in Chertsey, that’s boating. TorqLueay, C wes powerboat race, and all the other
Torquay, Cowes powerboat race, and all the other events that make an English summer. Enjoy your boating, whatever form it takes.
going? The confl icting stories of recovery versus stagfl ation, are to say the least confusing. Our intelligence from the London Boat Show would indicate that there is still cause for concern within the UK boating industry, however on a worldwide scale there is much more optimism. It seems that regular people have a devilish capacity for enjoying themselves despite politicians, economists and various other prophets of doom. Cowes Yachting believes we should all enjoy our boating, whatever form it takes.
Let’s hope for some sparkling weather for Cowes Week, the Rolex Commodores’ Cup, and the fiftieth Cowes, vents that make an English summer.
t’s hope for some sparkling weather for Cowes Week, the Rolex Commodores’ Cup, and the fiftieth Cowes, Enjoy your boating, whatever form it takes.
sunshine stayed for Panerai Cowes Classic Week, which was a wonderful gathering of highly varnished gunwhales I spent a very sunny day motoring up and down the river at Henley during the regatta, the English summer at its
I still enjoy having an evening drink out of a glass I won nearly half a century ago. If all I’d got were medals back then, I’d have thrown then out long ago.
I am also curious as to whether the three medals are as far as the prize list goes these days. The benchmark used to be that the prize list went down to the square route of the number of entries, thus if there were a hundred boats, the top ten got prizes. Does this still happen anywhere? The importance of the podium seems to have grown out of proportion.
John Roberson Editor
Cowes Yachting Fraternity
COWES YACHTING FRATERNITY COWES YACHTING FRATERNITY
John Roberson Editor
John Roberson EDITOR
6 cywinter 2011 6 COWES YACHTING SUMMER 2010
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