One Design Classes Here to Stay?
Explore the growing popularity of one design sailing in the Caribbean, the challenges faced by the media and sailing administrators, and the future of competitive sailing in the region.
A New Era for Caribbean Sailing
For so many years, Caribbean sailors spoke about one design classes and the difficulty of achieving active sailing in those classes. Increasingly, these goals are being achieved. At the recently concluded Rolex and BVI Spring regattas, the IC24 class reflected the aspirations of many sailors as these simple competitive boats provided the most intense and fair competition that anybody could have hoped for. Sailing was extremely close, and the quality of sailing skills was high and getting higher with every race. All participants were aware that they were sailing in a class that made them better sailors and produced more excitement for their time on the water.
The Establishment of the IC24 Class
Although the IC24 class has now been clearly established and there are indications of more one design classes developing in the Caribbean, I remain a little concerned that the positive developments that have taken place will continue.
Challenges for the Media in One Design Racing
While the one design racing clearly is great for the sport, it is more challenging for the media. The media has an easier task reporting and elaborating on large and shiny yachts and is more often challenged by the intricacies of skill development that are the achievements found in a one design class. The boats are generally all the same, and the glamour that is so easily found in the larger and more impressive yachts is lacking.
The Role of Sailing Administrators
Sailing administrators in the Caribbean should focus on how they can keep the fire alive in one design racing and how they can connect the high level of competition that happens in these classes to the development of sailing. They need also to show how the low costs of one design sailing can lower the threshold to sailing, make the sport more accessible to Caribbean people, and create a better trade-off between expenses and satisfaction.
The Risk of Dormant Equipment
They need to show that these classes remain exciting, or else they have the chance of quickly reverting to mildew-growing equipment. They need to be reminded that in places like Trinidad, where a great fleet of SR Max 23 footers was purchased with much initial excitement, this equipment quickly became dormant due to a range of reasons.
Balancing Corinthian Passion and Economic Interests
Most sailing events originated through the passion of Corinthian sailors. As the events have become important economic factors in the island economies, the drive has been partly taken over by economic interests. These economic interests inevitably prefer large boats with large spending power. Small one designs for Caribbean sailors may not match their priorities. Hence, the important role that lies ahead for yacht clubs and sailing administrators in the region.
Robbie Ferron has written for ALL AT SEA since 2005.
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