Living in the Scuttlebutt World

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
We are now well into the challenger racing for the 37th America’s Cup, and if you are like me (and live in the USA), you became an ESPN+ subscriber for $10.99 a month, as that was the only option to watch live racing. As for why only the USA has to pay among the competing teams, that’s a gripe for another day.

I planned to discontinue the service when the match was completed in late October, and now I can’t wait after I learned this week how the price of my subscription will increase to $11.99 per month on October 22, which is in the middle of 37th Match. Well played, Disney!

This may sound Curmudgeonly, but I do tire of how the “America’s Cup’ term gets tossed about. There has yet to be a race held for the 37th America’s Cup, but you wouldn’t know that from its use to gain attention and online traffic. Even the youth and women’s events are abusers. Folks, the first race is October 12. Everything else is pretend.

Speaking of the youth and women’s events, I do hope this isn’t a lot of effort for nothing. The entry and campaign costs are significant for four people to ride AC40s, and already the winds of Barcelona have limited practice and competition. Plus, each race has had breakdowns. Hmm…

The selection series for the five challengers now has two remaining, and as the British won over the softer Swiss team, the question continues if they made a mistake in selecting that opponent. As Italy survived a much closer semi-final match with USA, will they enjoy a similar victory over the Brits as occurred in the 2021 challenger finals?

“I said before I thought the team who won this semi would beat Ineos,” said USA helm Tom Slingsby. “That’s no slight on Ineos. I just think the closeness of the battle is so important in these series and all our races were super-tight. Luna Rossa will have learnt so much from them.”

Alongside all the hoopla in Barcelona is the America’s Cup e-Series to be held September 28. The eight gamer finalists were announced, and there is eagerness for this to be a widely viewed event. I have watched e-sailing before and don’t need to do that again, plus I shook my head when only the screen name for the finalists was provided. Nothing like creating interest by not allowing it. Geez!