Living in the Scuttlebutt World

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I tend to care more than is healthy about annual achievement awards and hall of fame recognition. While subjective judging has its flaws, highlighting individuals in sport creates history, and I find some responsibility in that process.

Having contributed in selection committees, I have witnessed how bias and familiarity impacts decisions. People tend to lean toward what they know, and as the sport becomes more diverse, having knowledge in all genres is rare. Too many “expert” voters are not qualified.

World Sailing has, again, made a mess of their prestigious awards. They have changed the process, and every change removes consistency and precedent. They have assembled an 11-person panel without expertise in all the decisions that must be made, and then will have the public making the final choice on the awards.

Engaging the public is smart marketing but invites popularity into the equation. And unlike a selection committee that is held to the highest standard (or should be), the public has no shackles on bias and familiarity. The world is a big place, and expecting a fair vote reflects naivety from the world governing body for the sport of sailing. Ugh!

Among the candidates for some awards will most certainly come from an America’s Cup team – but which one? The Brits and Italians are nearing the end of the challenger series, and the upward trajectory for INEOS Britania has them one win away from the 37th Match. It’s been 60 years since the Kingdom faced a defender, and they look more than ready.

Also gearing up is the Women’s America’s Cup, and I hope the boat problems from the youth event are resolved. What happened to the French youth team was shameful, though the truth is these two events are filler that provide good PR but don’t include all the ingredients for a fair fight. Oh well…

It’s playoff season for Major League Baseball, and as my San Diego Padres survived the first round, we witness teams that best endured the long 162-game season. Talent only gets you so far, as it is the development of team culture that sets the best apart. This variable applies to sailing too, and US Sailing Youth Performance Manager Phil Muller seeks to describe the “invisible hand at play.” Good stuff!

Speaking of US Sailing, their Championship of Champions is among my favorite events, and it’s great to see the 2024 edition requiring the champions to be on the water again, and not compete in radio-control boats as was done a year ago. If you can host this great event, contact US Sailing before someone gets clever and suggests e-Sailing for 2025. Please!