[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Exvs8iJpM&w=560&h=315]
I have to admit that initially I had my reservations about the new Americas Cup format. I don’t really like these radical multihulls. Sailing that fast just removes some of the strategy, tactics and beauty of the sport, right? Wrong, I spent about two hours watching the new A.C. last night for the first time this year. In the days of old, I would pay attention for a few minutes at a time and eventually loose all interest. Forget trying to sit down with one of my non-sailor buddies and trying to explain what is happening. I mean lets face it after you see those cool sleek boats for more than about ten minutes you have had enough. Well the sailing game has all changed. This time around I was glued to the tube. Every minute was action packed from insane acceleration to even more insane wipe-outs. I didn’t want to miss a minute of the action and neither did my friend. Unfortunately, like soccer, sailing is just not as popular in America as it is in the rest of the world. The more I watched, the more I began to realize this type of sailing will bring nothing but good press and popularity to sailing. I mean, this is exactly what the sport needs, high speed, adrenaline pumping action, with huge crashes. I may never actually sail a rocket-ship multihull, don’t really want to, but after seeing this, I may be changed for ever. Therefore, I must declare, I’m all for it. Go Oracle!
