America’s Cup: Fear Factor Dreams

• Be afraid. The next America’s Cup may, in fact, be sailed on reasonably similar boats with the views of the Challengers well represented . . . early and often.
  
• Be afraid. The Defender, Alinghi, announced this week a “progress report” of sorts that addresses several Challenger and Challenger-to-Be (BMW/Oracle) issues, including the relatively short boat-design period of only approximately a year and a half, nanoseconds in design/builder terms, apparently, but who’s really counting/complaining but spoil-sports? How about doubling it by working 24-hrs a day and, maybe add some weekends? The Defender announced that the “design consultation period” will start this month and last for six weeks, resulting in a complete definition of the Class Rule (s) - - what they’re gonna look like, folks! Challengers will have input (lots to say) by their “expert consultant” in the process. Most important, they will attempt to shape the rules to a “tight design box,” that is, to close tolerances, minimizing math and maximizing design requirements, to guarantee, more or less if it’s possible, some close racing. Def. of tight design box: Boats have little leeway in their size and appearance for these new “monster” boats of 90 feet or so.
  
• Be afraid. The emphasis on the design on these new boats will be SAILING SKILLS rather than boat design, and exciting/dare-devil racing it might just be. “We are keen to return the America’s Cup to the romantic era of J-Class size yachts, albeit updated with the very latest technology,” Skipper Brad Butterworth of Alinghi announced in a Geneva news conference. “This will create a superb spectacle and event—for sailing fans worldwide.” (Did anyone really like those days on 135 footers with armies of drones pulling in sheets by hand? I don't think so -- besides a few of the titans of industry captaining these outrageous yachts, muttering, "Hey, MINE'S bigger that YOURS!)
  
• Be afraid. A new Competitor Commission will be formed shortly to discuss 2009’s Protocol rules. Things are really going down the announced trail. Refreshing, indeed!
  
• Be afraid. The days of unorthodox catamaran Challengers and oddly-shaped keels are over. The next match races should be keen competitions among the world’s best sailors. May the best TEAMS (not boats) can win. Gosh, real racing among real people on a more or less level playing sea, if nature cooperates.