I had a coworker lament about the current format. He doesn't know much about sailing but has watched some America's Cup sailing in the past. He came across it on the TV schedule so he dialed it up. Even though he's engineer-esque, the advanced technology was lost on him because he doesn't have a basis for comparison. From his perspective, the racing is boring - there are no sail changes, no spin poles breaking, and it's a one pony show. I tried my argument for the incredible technology and even dialed up a video of the NZ stuffing the other day. It was an opinion that I couldn't counter. Nope, not interested.

I thought it was an interesting (and probably a quite common) outsider opinion.

I'm not familiar with every US news outlet but the general tone about this AC is very cynical, like this item by Gawker:
http://gawker.com/silicon-folly-how-to-make-an-extreme-sailboat-race-d-1160928481

I had a coworker lament about the current format. He doesn't know much about sailing but has watched some America's Cup sailing in the past. He came across it on the TV schedule so he dialed it up. Even though he's engineer-esque, the advanced technology was lost on him because he doesn't have a basis for comparison. From his perspective, the racing is boring - there are no sail changes, no spin poles breaking, and it's a one pony show. I tried my argument for the incredible technology and even dialed up a video of the NZ stuffing the other day. It was an opinion that I couldn't counter. Nope, not interested.

I thought it was an interesting (and probably a quite common) outsider opinion.

I had a coworker lament about the current format. He doesn't know much about sailing but has watched some America's Cup sailing in the past. He came across it on the TV schedule so he dialed it up. Even though he's engineer-esque, the advanced technology was lost on him because he doesn't have a basis for comparison. From his perspective, the racing is boring - there are no sail changes, no spin poles breaking, and it's a one pony show. I tried my argument for the incredible technology and even dialed up a video of the NZ stuffing the other day. It was an opinion that I couldn't counter. Nope, not interested.

I thought it was an interesting (and probably a quite common) outsider opinion.

They've had 24+ hours to charge the stupid batteries. Lets hope they are ready to go.

While we are all bitching I would like to add to the list the brilliant selection of NBCSport's Todd (I don't know diddly squat about sailboats but NBC suckered into my enlightening prose) Harris.

Everything about the 45's was great to watch. The coverage, the overlays, the cameras stuck everywhere, it was awesomeness. I think watching sailing makes watching paint dry look exciting, but they nailed it. Had they been foiling I probably would've needed a moist towel after every event.

Racing has always been about who can write the biggest check. Doesn't matter what you are racing.

Wow Karl, now I see where the sh$t starts. Local winners in our parts haven't spent more than $500/year on the boat. They go out with a 5+ year old main, jib and spinnaker and whoop up on our sorry butts. Another case in point, Mischa winning with the not really stock but still old Tiger at 2010 Canadian Nationals. Take the best sailors in the world, throw them on a 5 year old boat and they will still kick your and my butt. I could go on but time on the water beats money thrown at the boat everyday. Please see LR vs. ETNZ, both equally funded teams, maybe ETNZ has more money. Who is winning and why; the base design package was the same.