Sailing Billboards

The talk in Scuttlebutt about the Volvo Ocean Race has covered the safety issue, the expense issue, and the low turnout issue. This week, Ross Field and Ron Holland are also reminding us that one of the goals for this race, when it was originally getting mapped out as to what type of boat to use, was to control expense to insure a good turnout.

It did seem ironic back then, as the concept of the 70-footer was gaining steam at the same time, and it was hard to imagine that both the boat and the cost issue could occur in concert. Well, they didn't, and thanks to Ross and Ron for reminding us, this train came at us with headlights on and alarms ringing.

If there is concern about sponsor fulfillment, it might be good to remember that there is another event that is presently occurring that does it differently - The Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race. The race organizers, Clipper Ventures, own the eleven boat fleet, finds crew that are willing to pay to sail on the boats, they hire skippers to lead them, and recruit sponsors to support each boat. The whole package is a lot less sexier than the VOR, but the boats do complete each leg of the race (note: there is another race planning for its fifth event with a similar format: Global Challenge 2008-2009).

The VOR boats are very cool, and are sailed by the premier players in the sport. It is all very, very appealing. The Clipper boats are built like a brick shithouse, and are sailed by no-names, but continue to succeed in gaining sponsors and putting a decent number of boats on the startline. While the Clipper and GC races are not going to threaten the VOR as the premier crewed round-the-world race, it is appearing that the present VOR format needs to be revamped... again. - Craig Leweck