The second regatta of the America's Cup World Series begins in Plymouth on Saturday. And even before the first race has started, the chorus of critics is rising again. Whether on the jetty or in the media - anyone who thinks the competition, which is held on single-class catamarans, is stupid can be sure of broad approval, or at least undivided attention.
Even in the USA, where the silver jug found its new home in 2010 after BMW Oracle's victory over Alinghi, cup bashing has become a common word. Being against it is fashionable. If only because proof of the supposedly countless design flaws in the new rules can only be provided in the future. So those who are already complaining today are right for the time being.
No, you certainly don't have to approve of everything that Russell Coutts has developed on behalf of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. But the vehemence with which everything is declared to be rubbish from afar is surprising.
Jochen Schümann, for example, recently found in a Interview with the Berliner Tagesspiegel the whole thing is "a show about nothing". "The competition will be thin at the end," predicts the three-time gold medallist and two-time Cup winner. He sees Coutts' plug and subsequent skid in San Francisco Bay as "a sign of the inability to handle these catamarans". And the 72-foot cats used in the 2013 Cup are even more dangerous: "The sailors could be hurled through the air at a height of 40 metres. It's completely unclear what you're getting yourself into."
In other words: Everything is bad! Very bad!!!
A week ago, in an interview with YACHT, this sounded even more nuanced (see report in issue 20/11, on newsstands from Wednesday 14 September). Jochen Schümann also found positive words there. The 57-year-old explicitly welcomed the fact that sailing on the AC-45 cats, which are only crewed by five people, is sportier, more athletic and favours crew members who can do more than just one job. Germany's exceptional sailor also praised the elaborate live broadcasting of the races: "The Cup is doing pioneering work in this area, which is helping to advance the entire sport." He also admitted that he had "only marginally followed" the start of the AC World Series in Cascais.
It's a shame that many commentators and multipliers make judgements from a distance. It's a shame that nuances rarely make it into the public eye. It's a shame that the Cup and its organisers don't get the chance that every new beginning deserves.
It seems as if the years-long legal war between Oracle and Alinghi has alienated fans and pros from the Cup to such an extent that even now, under completely different circumstances, they are still unable to overcome their annoyance. But it is about time. The sport of sailing does not need any more grumbling and resentment.
For all those who want to get their own unbiased impression: Click here to the AC page and here to the AC-Channel on YouTube which will be showing all the races from Plymouth live and in summaries from Saturday.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
