Blue Blazered Britons Sipping Cocktails
In the event that you missed it, the New York Times covered the Volvo in their "Yachting" space this past Saturday, December 17. The article, titled "Rough Seas and Rough Sailing," cites numerous mishaps and challenges competitors faced on Leg One. For those of us who follow such things this is, of course, old news. Worth comment is the leading paragraph where journalist Nancy Ramsey reveals either an astounding lack of savvy about what an offshore race - any offshore race - entails in the way of danger (as well as what it requires from its participants in the way of vigor)...or she is striving to create an aperture for her audience, many of whom could harbor stereotypical, Caddy Shack-like ("I christen thee the Flying Wasp") notions of yacht racing. Decide for yourself, I vote the former.
“If the first leg of the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race is an indicator of the shape of seas and waves and boat malfunctions to come, the 32,000-nautical-mile, eight-month race may dispel the notion of sailing as the sport of blue-blazered Britons sipping cocktails at sundown.”
2 comments:
LOL!!! This is a great find! First of all, I don't even have to take my mittens off to count the number of people I know who actually credit the New York Times as a legitimate source of news, and secondly, they're trying to cover the VOR!?!?!?! They must have heard that Disney was involved, and figured they had to find a way to bastardize the event. After all, who hates daring, free spirited, competitive, intellectual, capitalistic individuals more than communists? LIBERALS!!!!! By the way, I vote the former....
I'm sure my mate from Wakiki yacht club that is racing on Ambro two would be thrilled to know that someone in the USA is covering this event - Best to educate the press and help them understand that these men have families at home while they sail on the edge to win this race and that they trust Roy D with their families as much as he trust them with his boat.
On a lighter note I personnaly volenteer to provide Nancey Ramsey with the rigors of offshore life - (Least that I can do for the press)Preferably on a port tack sailing south in the trades.
As a professional sailor and a recently retired athelete I think this is a fair opportunity for the New York times to gather first hand knowldge of "what makes a boat go fast".I absolutly garentee a "boneifited" approch that will steer her away from the Blue-Blazederd Brit stereotype to the yachting scene.
However I do have a blazer - and when I've a few dark and stormies seem British - I assure you all when offshore - I'd rathar be a live dog than a dead lion.
By the way - Merry Xmas.
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