Newport Harbor Guide — May 2009
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A Letter from Gary Jobson
I first became aware of the America’s Cup in 1958 during the races between Columbia and Sovereign. Four years later,my family visited Newport, Rhode Island.
I will never forget the sight of Weatherly being towed out to the starting line with the crew in uniform. The giant 12 Metre was overwhelming to a twelve year old who was learning to sail an eleven foot Penguin. Fifteen years later, I actually raced in the America’s Cup aboard the 12 Metre Courageous. It is humbling to realize that I have been a part of the long storied past of this marvelous event.
In simplest terms, the America’s Cup is a race between two sailboats.
But being first among those two boats is an enormous, expensive challenge. Technological innovation is key and the sailors must prepare for every conceivable tactical situation. Decisions must be instantaneous and correct; for, as an attendant once remarked to QueenVictoria when she asked who was second,“Madam, there is no second.”
What separates victory from defeat? Sailors fanaticize about boats that are technologically superior in every condition, but there are cases in which the slower boat has won because her skippers and tacticians outsmarted the competition. At the same time, the occasional boat design is so highly evolved that a slower boat doesn’t stand a chance.While designers and sailors dream of that magical breakthrough, success is usually achieved by doingmany small things well.
The 12 Metre Class has been an enduring symbol of excellence on the water. These beautiful boats have raced in the America’s Cup, the Olympic Games and continue as classics. To see a fleet of 12 Metres on the starting line is always breathtaking. They get better looking with age. A 12 Metre looks important, sleek and fast all at once.
The glory of 12 Metre racing continues in Newport in 2009 with the World Championship. It will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Whether you are aboard one of these yachts or watching from any vantage point, you too will sense the historic nature of these technological marvels.
I will never forget the sight of Weatherly being towed out to the starting line with the crew in uniform. The giant 12 Metre was overwhelming to a twelve year old who was learning to sail an eleven foot Penguin. Fifteen years later, I actually raced in the America’s Cup aboard the 12 Metre Courageous. It is humbling to realize that I have been a part of the long storied past of this marvelous event.
In simplest terms, the America’s Cup is a race between two sailboats.
But being first among those two boats is an enormous, expensive challenge. Technological innovation is key and the sailors must prepare for every conceivable tactical situation. Decisions must be instantaneous and correct; for, as an attendant once remarked to QueenVictoria when she asked who was second,“Madam, there is no second.”
What separates victory from defeat? Sailors fanaticize about boats that are technologically superior in every condition, but there are cases in which the slower boat has won because her skippers and tacticians outsmarted the competition. At the same time, the occasional boat design is so highly evolved that a slower boat doesn’t stand a chance.While designers and sailors dream of that magical breakthrough, success is usually achieved by doingmany small things well.
The 12 Metre Class has been an enduring symbol of excellence on the water. These beautiful boats have raced in the America’s Cup, the Olympic Games and continue as classics. To see a fleet of 12 Metres on the starting line is always breathtaking. They get better looking with age. A 12 Metre looks important, sleek and fast all at once.
The glory of 12 Metre racing continues in Newport in 2009 with the World Championship. It will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Whether you are aboard one of these yachts or watching from any vantage point, you too will sense the historic nature of these technological marvels.
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