Is the “Formula One of Sailing” Actually Fun?
The Scene
The high-tea confections are melting in the afternoon heat, squishing between manicured fingers. The posh spread comes courtesy of the Plaza Hotel. Only the finest are being rolled out for today’s VIP spectators, company men from Deutsche Bank, Rolex, and the like who’ve emerged from their skyscraping fortresses for today’s race. It’s Sunday on Governors Island and the second day of the Mubadala New York Grand Sail Prix, the penultimate showdown of SailGP’s fourth season.
Beautiful women bob around in sun hats, designer sunglasses, and flowy patterned dresses. Everyone here has wonderful teeth. Data analysts in humongous headphones lock into their computer displays, tracking wind patterns, watercraft speeds, and real-time video footage on multiple monitors. In front of them, a booming Australian announcer whips up excitement for in-person observers and YouTube-streaming posterity.
Finding a place to watch the races isn’t difficult. SailGP attracts a mixed crowd of sailing enthusiasts, financiers, and normal people looking for a good time.
The SailGP
SailGP is a high-speed global competition with the objective of modernizing and popularizing sailing. The organization wants to prove that the water sport is for everyone. It has monthly races, mixed-gender squads, an eco-friendly mission, and celebrity investors like Issa Rae. The organization is trying to be the “Formula One of Sailing.” Its founders are Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and champion yachtsman Russell Coults. SailGP is not like the America’s Cup, which is held irregularly every few years between only two teams.
SailGP’s evangelization effort involves giving journalists, including the author, the first-class, finance-bro experience.
The Experience
The author mentions that the SailGP event felt stuffy and that it was clear that the organization wanted to pitch sailing to the masses, but it didn’t feel that way. The activity was in a sharp and angular course that increased the risk of collision. The boats went around with steep turns in a race that lasted about 15 minutes.
Despite the proximity to the action, the whole experience had the emotional stakes of watching toys floating in bathwater. The twisty path, whose contours aren’t outlined to live spectators, diminish the innate satisfaction of watching fast things go zoom; it isn’t quite evident who is in the lead.
The Verdict
After the event, the author reunites with “Lobotomy at Toyotathon” and her friends, who all seem puzzled about the races. The author agrees that the event felt underwhelming. Everything seemed more engaging in the docuseries.
SailGP may not be the “Formula One of Sailing” yet, but it is a fun way to spend an afternoon in the sun watching boats zip by.
Originally Post From https://www.thecut.com/article/the-first-class-finance-bro-experience-at-sailgp.html
Read more about this topic at
Sailing for Everyone
Sailing for Everyone: Watts, Simon: 9781934982013
