3.)Short attention spans of spectators need constant stimulation and action... this will do it. Its like getting my wife to watch sailing on TV or even at an event. She says its like watching grass grow. Things seem to happen too slow if you're not on the boat.
Clayton
This is EXACTLY the problem with sailing as a spectator sport, and why it will never be televised in its current state.
The only type of sailing that any Joe six-pack MIGHT watch would be Team Racing, with the 8-minute courses (Digital N).
Mike
Not "EXACTLY" Look at the TV time for bike racing. Regular network only does the Tour De France and that only because of Lance, but a lot of the off brand stations give it quite a bit of coverage. Road course racing is just as difficult to cover and produce than a sail boat race. 135 guys riding in a pack for 6 hrs while the anouncers make up stories to keep interest until a couple decide to try and srint to the finish near the end.
We do ourselves a disservice by perpetuationg the theory that sailing is too difficult to cover or understand. Then to compound things the only time it makes it to prime time now is with billionairs and lawyers match racing on boring leaners. It is no wonder people write it off before they even give it a try.
Run some showy fast fleet racing complete with crashes and the associated human interest and even though they do not understand it will attract viewers given time. Right now it is just a catch-22. That does not exist so they do not watch, and they wont produce it becuase they do not watch <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
