Editorial Andrew Hurst Seriously?
I was determined to stay clear of what is undoubt- edly an exciting America’s Cup cycle… however. The players who happen to be participating in this edition of the Cup – one of 35 Cups to date – have decided to hold discussions about changing how the America’s Cup will run in the future. There is no official intention to change the Deed of Gift, but one influential figure is on record saying that ‘Perhaps we can up the speed at which we get there’. But of course the only way to ensure the Defender does not make the rules, the goal of these discussions, is ultimately to amend the Deed. The reason, to better reflect modern times and to make the Cup more ‘commercially viable’. I know, but please stay with me. Of course, these are the same players who in charitable efforts to limit cost and open the Cup to the unwashed have lately agreed to dispense with the rule prohibiting teams from building more than three (sic) development boats. The only reason there is still an America’s Cup is that
dreadful, old-fashioned Deed of Gift. Not technically under threat, but wait a little longer.
The Cup has come through World Wars, bitch-fights between the wealthiest of individuals, the Great Depression, political upheavals, legal challenges, European revolutions and the most vicious, bitter disputes imaginable between narcissistic yacht clubs and syndicate chiefs (aka the money trees).
Whatever the world has thrown at the Cup the Deed of Gift
sheltered it and forced the game back to the centre, keeping it going as the world’s most-enduring sporting contest. It has stopped defenders from making the Cup impossible to take off them; very close, but in the end the Deed kept the competitive element just significant enough that the silver ewer could eventually be prised away from those with less worthy motivations. The Cup has been a great technology race, it has been a great sailboat race, it has made and broken countless sailors, designers and syndicate backers, many of whom have gone bust, gone to jail and in at least one case even worse. The Cup’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness is that it has always provided an arena for the world’s wealthiest mavericks to kick off against each other outside Wall Street, the Athletics Club or the Gstaad dating circuit. Under the strict requirements of the Deed of Gift the America’s Cup has survived because it is so much more than a sports contest. It thrives and fades. Meddle at your peril. As 1986 challenge skipper Harold Cudmore says, ‘The America’s Cup is not about sailing.’ To win the Cup requires special people, able to manage, prioritise (Conner, Coutts), fundraise, sail and fight as viciously as it takes. Today’s players have had their go at making the America’s Cup ‘commercially viable’. That they have failed is mainly because the event is so complex. So a tiny bunch of the world’s wealthiest people will have another essentially private yacht race. Sure, they have brought in commercial backing, which is good for all, but most teams started and revolve around personal largesse. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact very much the opposite. The benefits flow far and wide and sailing should thank those who pump in so much money and enthusiasm. Just as thanks were due to Sir Thomas Lipton, Cornelius Vanderbilt and so many others. There will be two teams in Bermuda with significant ‘real’ spon- sors – Team NZ and BAR – and another that is 100 per cent reliant, Team France, but of course, barring a technical breakthrough (how bl**dy great would that be), Franck Cammas has no chance against his mega-buck rivals. Rivals, by the way, many of whom Franck smashed in the Volvo Ocean Race or in the Little America’s Cup. The America’s Cup may continue to test the edges of elitism (who cares), but it is fantastic. Sailing benefits, some truly
marvellous sailors get to earn a decent living, we can all marvel at the boats, the racing and the athleticism required of today’s crews. And, as those three million people who tuned in to the 1987 Cup Match proved, the America’s Cup can spread the word. But please do not allow those who happen to be competing this time flirt with the only thing that has kept a fascinating event going for 165 years, through crises that sank almost every comparable event during that period.
Please do remember that you happen to be ‘the guys’ this time. You are not the only guys, you are not the most clever guys, you are definitely not the last guys. Well, you could be the last guys if you end up messing with the Deed of Gift.
I return to Mr America’s Cup himself, Dennis Conner. ‘Bet on self-interest, it’s always running’. Conner loves the Cup but he knew better than to meddle with its heart. Tell DC that a potential Defender has ‘promised’ to open up the game and he’d laugh at you. Let’s paraphrase another big dude: ‘Protect them from themselves for they know not what they do’.
next to me GOLF
the greatest of all time,
I’m the best, I just haven’t played yet
HONESTY
It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up
HUMILITY
Parkinson’s is my toughest fight. No, it doesn’t hurt. All great people are tested by God
NO DIFFERENT
The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines. In the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights
RESPECT Joe Frazier is
Boxing is a lot of white men watch- ing two black men beat each other up
RACE for their hobby
– Rob Weiland on losing the big international events
IRONY We need venues that are commercial hubs with plenty of locally
based spectators – America’s Cup skipper
San Francisco? – Rich Roberts
… the home of the
America’s Cup Trustee – Roberts
The chef suggested Lukatmi… surely a terminal disease that afflicts millions and can only be cured by
non-stop selfies? – Taki
MEETING HIS MATCH Muhammad Ali: I don’t need no seatbelt, I’m Superman Air stewardess: If you’re Superman, you don’t need no plane
SCARED TO FLIP
They fly their Mach .92 jets to the local airport, they drive their
imagine sailing at 42kt – Cam Lewis thinks monohull owners are chicken
Please do not tell me that in the 1980s the owners had more money and more time
OH PLEASE
The Hugo Boss skipper survived a battle with 40kt winds, sleep deprivation and giant waves. He’s even had to repair his electronic system, a difficult task in such extreme conditions
$350,000 sports car to the dock over the speed limit and they cannot
– Another Hugo Boss press release
Yes, it’s quite windy – Race winner Jérémie Beyou
My Lady: Are you admiring my Spitfire brooch? Churchill: No, I’m admiring the airodrome
Seahorse magazine and our associate raceboatsonlybrokerage site are both at:
seahorsemagazine.com The editor is contactable by email at:
andrew@seahorse.co.uk
SEAHORSE 9
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