AC 45

Alfreado

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUy0ikkwt-k

Have the cats ruined the America's cup, or is it the best thing to happen the series?

neris

I dont think cats ruined it. i think egos have ruined it. Multi billionaire businessmen who think their pro yachties throwing their cheque books around and then when they loose or dont get what they want throwing the toys out of the pram (otherwise known as going on a long legal process)

Steve

I think they've ruined it.

Cats have a place in the scheme of things but AC should've remained more 'pure'.

@neris, you're correct in that it's now purely a sport for the biggest wallet. Us 'normal' racers rate headsails in knots AWS and get a season out of them, AC boats rate them in number of tacks and then turn them into kitbags or jackets and make a profit on them.

neris

The other thing is their trying to make it viewable for tv. Sailing is one sport that you just cant watch on tv no matter what the weather or the location. The other thing with the biggge wallet is theres always been big money in the AC but the backers stayed out of the limelight as they tended to be welathy club members of the boat that was racing. Now its a few very wealthy business men bank rolling their own plaything.