It can be boring as sin to watch, but so are a lot of sports. My god I hate car racing processions!

It is about being visible, ppl start asking questions and talking about it with friends.

Sailing participation isn't going to improve over-night. It is going to require a few years of patience and some careful planning.

The cost shouldn't be a concern, have you seen the price of some of the top road and mountain bikes!!! What should be developed are levels of cost for different items and not too much difference between them on the race course.

The laser would do very well for itself if they had upgradable components. Lighter and stiffer blades, better masts, better sails, and price all the available options accordingly. The current rigs should be dirt cheap (about half the cost they are now) and the top quality rigs should be about the cost of the existing rigs.

I'm assuming the current rigs are highly over-priced considering a lot of laser sailors save their legit sail for big races and buy their exact replica training sail at half the price from the local sailmaker.

PS. I think there are a fair few Tiger Woods fans and wannabes, he earns a lot of money!