And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Since Larry Ellison got into racing boats, he has dumped several tons of cash per year into racing development. Although it has paid off in speed and agility increases, it doesn't make much difference to the average sailor, I believe.
For a good read, pick up "The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison". Very informative.
The amount of cash flowing into America's Cup has resulted in very limited opportunities to sailors. The Cup has become elitist and controlled by syndicates. The Cup sailors are vaunted as celebrities.
It is rather disgusting. Only by a thread do these technological marvels relate to sailing. They have more in common with rocket ships than sailboats.
Most sailors feel the same. That the Cup organizers have redoubled their efforts to gain spectators bares this out; the Cup boats and the esoteric race rules have isolated the sport. Truly modern marvels but at the price of turning away traditional viewers.
I think it has its place. Like Formula One in auto racing, the idea is to see just how far you can push things, money be damned. F1 has little to no real relationship to your average local dirt track racer, but there are many racing classes with closer ties to what is available to the standard public in both autos and sailing. I see no reason to restrict exploring what can be done on the bleeding edge.
I agree with you - we are a competitive and creative species so we love to push boundaries. Relevant to Popeye or not, they are magnificent boats and great to watch.
Let's have a special Olympics where the sky's the limit! Any drug or hormone, any tech that can be covered with skin, any gene spliced freak is welcome. Let's see how high they can go, how speed they can get!
I can still have a much fun with a cat boat or a Sunfish or a Hobie cat as anything on a bigger boat. I gotta say this picture of the lone guy on that cat, that's 'Like a Boss' to me. But I would be content with the cat boat.
Since Larry Ellison got into racing boats, he has dumped several tons of cash per year into racing development. Although it has paid off in speed and agility increases, it doesn't make much difference to the average sailor, I believe.
ReplyDeleteFor a good read, pick up "The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison". Very informative.
The amount of cash flowing into America's Cup has resulted in very limited opportunities to sailors. The Cup has become elitist and controlled by syndicates. The Cup sailors are vaunted as celebrities.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather disgusting. Only by a thread do these technological marvels relate to sailing. They have more in common with rocket ships than sailboats.
Most sailors feel the same. That the Cup organizers have redoubled their efforts to gain spectators bares this out; the Cup boats and the esoteric race rules have isolated the sport. Truly modern marvels but at the price of turning away traditional viewers.
Hear hear, he speaks for many.
DeleteI think it has its place. Like Formula One in auto racing, the idea is to see just how far you can push things, money be damned. F1 has little to no real relationship to your average local dirt track racer, but there are many racing classes with closer ties to what is available to the standard public in both autos and sailing. I see no reason to restrict exploring what can be done on the bleeding edge.
DeleteI agree with you - we are a competitive and creative species so we love to push boundaries. Relevant to Popeye or not, they are magnificent boats and great to watch.
DeleteLet's have a special Olympics where the sky's the limit! Any drug or hormone, any tech that can be covered with skin, any gene spliced freak is welcome.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how high they can go, how speed they can get!
Think of the military sponsorship!
excellent idea
DeleteI can still have a much fun with a cat boat or a Sunfish or a Hobie cat as anything on a bigger boat. I gotta say this picture of the lone guy on that cat, that's 'Like a Boss' to me. But I would be content with the cat boat.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's a tri-hull, not a cat.
DeleteIn fairness to Larry Ellison...to quote Peter Griffin...'Oh my God. Who. The hell. CARES.'
ReplyDelete