Paul Cayar
Rob Weiland
Facing the mirror
With Covid-19 dominating life the outlook for a fast ‘return to normal’ is not too great in quite a number of departments. One of these is for sure international travel with in its wake international sailing events, so we are indeed facing a ‘new reality’ for international regattas. Certainly well into 2021, but not unlikely thereafter as well.
Some of the effects could be there to stay, which might not nec-
essarily be a negative thing? However, continuing not to race, con- tinuing to cancel regattas because not all potential participants are allowed to travel, is, I feel, not an option these regattas will survive. Like not going to work or school is not an option, as is not going to visit relatives and friends, or museums, concerts, sports and so on. A business permanently closed is not a business, a regatta is only a regatta if actually hosted. The Admiral’s Cup is history. From a young age I was taken with the concept of sailing as also
a means of transport – a boat can bring you nearly anywhere in Holland and once at sea there are no boundaries. A boat being a means of transport is essential for its popularity. Most might just dream about distant voyages, many do so all their life. Even a short ferry trip across a canal appeals to many. Sailing is a relatively clean way to travel, it fits the current focus
on reducing carbon dioxide emission; but somewhat disappointingly I do not see increased interest in sailing for this reason. It might be perceived as too small and too complex a part of a possible solution? Taking the travelling out of boating, not just out of racing, even if it is feasible I would see as a big mistake with huge impact on the marine industry as well as on the personal well-being of many who are active in the sport. International sport, in the tradition of Pierre de Coubertin and
34 SEAHORSE
maybe somewhat romantically, I firmly believe is essential for better understanding between people and cultures around the globe – and as such should be encouraged rather than hindered. All of the above does not mean we shall continue to travel the
world without questioning its environmental impact, but the answer then should not be sought in not travelling but in travelling more smartly. As in cleaner, not just related to carbon dioxide emission but to any sort of environmental and health impact. Longterm technical solutions will transform why and how we
travel, but unavoidably in the short term we will see reduced travelling because of all kind of restrictions, including self-imposed ones of being careful or even scared. Reduced travelling longer term does not have to mean fewer regattas or less attendance, but I doubt for the coming years many will plan a big regatta schedule that till recently would have been seen as the hottest ticket on the planet, like kicking off in Florida, two in the Caribbean, Cowes Week+Fastnet and then at least two in the Med. Instead we might see more regional choices, so one year
Caribbean plus US east coast, next year Med plus Cowes, and so on. Not just will the boat then travel less but surely also it gets more feasible to reduce crew travel. In all this those regions without a home fleet, or a small home fleet, like the Caribbean, would be more vulnerable. And thus have to be more creative to keep their show on the road, probably accepting less participation at first. Series like the 52 Super Series will probably fare best if falling
in line with the reduced travelling trend and for quite a bit avoid combining US east coast or even further destinations with racing in its ‘home waters’, the Western Med and Iberian Atlantic coast. If anything once in a while a full series on the US east coast would in many ways be a better option than crossing the Atlantic mid-year.
GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
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