Can sailing profit from profit?

Professional sailing circuits require a high level of return in order to financially award its personnel and participants, and “media-driven” sailing formats is an effective way to achieve this. Perhaps this has gone so far as to forsake the sport for profit, (and perhaps this profit is misapplied). Perhaps not. Either way, media brings the profit, and profit runs the show.

Olympic sailing, fundamentally an amateur competition, functions within the Olympic superstructure and has this year received a grave report from the IOC. Sailing is an “at risk” sport amongst the Olympic ranks, and unless it improves its diversity and relevance to mainstream media, television, sailing could lose its Olympic status. The ISAF Council has officially proclaimed that “to do nothing is not an option.”

So while profit provides a circuit for full-time professional sailors, or feeds itself, profit can also stimulate development and bring vital universality to our sport.

Sailing success of any one individual or nation is greatly material - and access to those materials. Raw talent provides the core, but without the best resources - training, travel and equipment - it cannot stand alone.

Media-friendly racing formats could be a great democratizing force in Olympic sailing. When Olympic sailing offers a more accessible visual spectacle, the sport will attract more sponsors. On the small scale this will help sailors from “up and coming” sailing nations solicit funding. And on the large scale it could encourage centralized subsidies at international and qualifying events. In either scenario, media-friendly racing formats will alleviate some of the financial burden currently hindering needed development.

Without a single ISAF World Cup event in Asia, any sailor from Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan might find cheaper airfare to Sail Melbourne than a Danish sailor, but the latter can conveniently hop in his/her car and drive to Medemblik. The same goes for South America, and Africa. As it stands, sailors from areas of needed development face larger campaign budgets than those who might have access to centralized federation support.

Why do we support international participation? The diversity of players improves the game. It makes for more racing everywhere. It solidifies our future both in local waters and on the international stage of Olympic sport.

Stopping short of the ancient Romans, (who tried “stadium sailing” by flooding the coliseums and reenacting aquatic battles), there are many ways to engage mainstream media. Picking venues with closer to shore racing, incorporating GPS tracking and latest video capabilities, or simpler mathematics like a final medal series. Or all of the above.

The 49er class, and the growing 29erXX are taking great strides towards engaging media and spectators. Both classes are testing new racing formats that appeal to sailors and attract the non-specialist; the Seiko Speed Challenge, and Skiff Cross to name a few. (And the audience is there: Skandia’s 49er promo video featuring Team GBR accrued nearly 95,000 views on YouTube since it’s release 1 month ago.)

Finally, these media-friendly racing formats are being developed by the sailors themselves. Olympic medalists and world champions such as the Sibello brothers (ITA), Nathan Outteridge (AUS), Pippa Wilson (GBR) and Merel Witteveen (NED) - are all engaged in these projects that allow new media technologies and the sailing we know and love to coalesce.

Lizzi,
Avid sailor in all its forms, facets and phases.