Germany's most successful sailor has criticised the new America's Cup format. The battle for the silver jug in its 34th edition is too extreme, too far removed from the sport of sailing and too sparsely populated. But the 59-year-old also freely admits that he is fascinated by the races in the final and follows them live on screen.
YACHT online:Mr Schümann, you have criticised the new America's Cup format several times. But hand on heart, aren't you cheering it on too?
Schümann: The last races were exciting to watch: Great match racing, great pictures! I have to pay the Kiwis a huge compliment. They impress me with their technical skills and their realisation on the water. You can just tell that they have 30 years of team culture behind them. Their vast experience makes success possible even with a small budget. And all with just one boat.
YACHT online:Are you happy about the results in the America's Cup?
Schümann: Yes, I am very happy! The America's Cup would be in the best hands with the Kiwis. It would be the best thing for the sailing world if they were to win the Cup.
YACHT online:Why?
Schümann: They will design the next edition of the Cup in such a way that many nations can take part again, making it really more affordable and therefore more accessible. I can still imagine that they will return to monohulls. It is doubtful whether we will be able to attract more teams to this type of competition with foiling and flying in the future. This competition is still a far cry from sailing, but very close to flying. But it's not supposed to be a Red Bull Air Race, is it?
YACHT online:How does David New Zealand, with its relatively small budget of around 60 million euros, manage to put Goliath America, with a budget around three times as large, in such a tight spot in this duel?
Schümann: It's no magic trick: a year ago, they were the first on the water with their boat and the first to foil. In the end, as almost always, it's the time on the water that counts.
YACHT online:And yet the defender has signed up all the personnel the professional sailing world has to offer ...
Schümann: Yes, the Americans have good people on board. But the New Zealanders are the better, more experienced team.
YACHT online:However, Oracle's helmsman Jimmy Spithill shows time and again that he is a brilliant and furious match racer ...
Schümann: Yes, he's good. But he's also a bit of an eternal talent. He hasn't won a really big thing yet. In my opinion, the American Cup victory in 2010 with Jimmy at the helm doesn't count as an outstanding achievement because it was an unequal competition. If you compare the successes of the helmsmen, the comparison is clearly in favour of Dean Barker. But Team New Zealand doesn't focus on one or two people alone. They are simply good as a team, as Team New Zealand.
YACHT online:Do you ever worry about how your former Alinghi team-mate Russell Coutts will fare if his Oracle Team USA loses the Cup?
Schümann: If you get too full, sometimes it just gets difficult. Hopefully he'll take a year off after this edition ...
YACHT online:Let's assume for a moment that the Kiwis could convert one of their seven match points this weekend and win the Cup. Do you think there is a chance of Germany taking part in the next edition of the Cup?
Schümann: This opportunity has always existed and it is still there. There are enthusiasts, the right technology and the people in Germany. Sailing Team Germany was not founded for AC purposes, but the long-term vision of any performance promotion programme naturally also includes strengthening professional sailing in Germany as a consequence.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
