SEAHORSE EDITORIAL

A very broad 'ask'

The new format for the 2003 Admiral's Cup certainly got people's attention. Whether the solution is the correct one only time will answer. What is certain is that no one answer was ever going to please everyone. A decision was, however, taken based upon a general consensus that was soundly based. Many experienced international sailors contributed to the process.

The primary objective was always to create the best opportunity for a good international regatta next summer. The new format was never going to be an attempt to use a once unrivalled, but now vulnerable event to further any other causes, however closely related. While some are more excited than others (inevitably) by the dual-IMS/IRC format, there is now an opportunity for a good international regatta to be held without one single new boat needing to be built.

Purists argue the IRC rule cannot survive a 'grand-prix' assault (notwithstanding this is exactly the type of campaign currently taking most good IRC prizes). This is absolutely correct in the long term, but it misses the point today.

The Admiral's Cup is unlikely to jump straight back to its peak, with 50-60 boats taking part in one cycle. It only reached that position after years of steady growth. The event began life as a two-nation challenge in the cruiser-racers of the day (1957). Given the vacuum created by the cancellation of the 2001 event, then it is from another modest start that the Cup must now grow again if it is to succeed.

Interest in offshore racing is currently broadly spread across a diverse mixture of amateur and professional crew and a mix of cruiser-racers and raceboats. One format will never suit all at the present time. Offshore sailing is too fragmented.

But an attractive and enjoyable event, as accessible as possible to as many as possible, just might develop a momentum of its own. Then, in time, it can adapt to changing needs. As Jim Schmicker says in our interview with Farr Yacht Design (pg 31), neither IMS nor IOR started out as grand-prix rules. They just evolved.

Given a positive attitude by those who wish to take part, the new-look Admiral's Cup offers a broad format in which a wide variety of competitors can be accommodated. But given this clean sheet of paper, people must make their own minds up about the picture as a whole. The question should be, 'Do I want to play or not?' Not, 'did they give me what I wanted?'

Remember that when New Zealand won the America's Cup in 1995, and again when they defended it in 2000, many 'expert' commentators did not tire of advising us, 'The Cup's dead, don't bother. No one will go there to get it.'

Patience

The decision on Admiral's Cup format was seen as a blow by some lobbies, not least by some who support the RORC's very own IRM Rule. While IRM's current lack of international penetration ruled out its use in 2003, I am sure there are nevertheless excellent prospects for this rule in the future. With or without the Admiral's Cup.

A stated objective of IRM, when it was born out of 'IR2000' a couple of years ago, was to take the heat out of its club-racer kid sister, IRC. Up until now this has definitely not happened. Taking advantage of the fact that the IRM-typeform has been encouraged by the rating managers in IRC, to help IRM through its early days many IRM sailors have raced in the IRC classes, where the pots fall relatively easily.

Similarly, many owners have responded to the growing prominence of IRC events such as Cowes Week (in the absence of alternatives) to build IRC-specials. Add some professional crew and it's a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. Just look at how consistently just a few boats have dominated recent IRC events.

John McWilliam and Ford Cork Week have now made a stand. If you've got what is really a raceboat, IRC or IRM, especially if you want to employ professional crew, then you must race in Cork Week's new IRM-based High Performance Class. That is 'must', not 'can'.

This is the best chance that IRM has ever had to get a jump in international recognition. There will be plenty of international visibility at Cork. I am sure IRM will meet the challenge.

IRM is a great rule. The boats are absolutely great boats, no better rated-class of offshore boat currently exists anywhere. IRM is actually absolutely perfect (with a few tweaks, already in the pipeline) for great racing at the highest level. It is perfect, in fact, for events like the Admiral's Cup. But give it a little more time to get there on its own merits. Then watch it fly.

-- Andrew Hurst