
The Publisher
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Dec 13, 2011, 7:05 AM
Post #4 of 65
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Re: [The Publisher] BEN AINSLIE - FACTS FOUND
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SACRIFICING THE PURENESS OF SPORT As high profile sailing events seek to package themselves for broadcast appeal, the sanctity of the 'perfect race course' will be compromised. And when highly vested athletes meet with imperfect conditions, tensions increase. When four-time Olympic medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) grew frustrated with a media boat at the ISAF Sailing World Championship, he could not hold back his anger. But it is arguable that his inexcusable actions - boarding the boat and physically shaking the driver - were predictable. This excerpt from a publication that follows Olympic events sheds some light on this path that high profile sailing events such as the Olympics and the America's Cup are taking... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sailing is trying hard to improve its profile - and their key tactic is to make the action more television and spectator friendly. In no other sport do media get quite so close to the action, press boats - with demanding photographers, cameramen and reporters shouting their instructions - are right in the thick of it, sharing the same crowded water with the competitors. Broadcasters want their dramatic close up shots and this week's ISAF World Championships has seen several new ideas trialled to deliver them - to the annoyance of Ainslie's British team manager Stephen Park. "At the moment the sport seems to be fumbling its way into trying to make the sport more appealing for television," he said. "But surely there is a better way than trialling new race formats, rule regulations and, specifically in this case, media initiatives, than trialling them at the World Championships?" And it's the same with spectators. Next year, for the first time in Olympic history, a ticketed area has been introduced for the sailing regatta with 4,600 pass holders accommodated every day on Nothe Gardens, which overlooks the planned medal race course in Weymouth harbour. Tickets, which cost up to 55 pounds, have already sold out, generating revenue of approximately 250,000 pounds ($390,000) a day for London Olympic organisers. But former windsurfing world champion Nick Dempsey and Skandia Team GB colleague Ainslie have both expressed serious concerns about the suitability of the inshore course in certain weather conditions. They rightly claim that it's not about the spectators, the television audiences or the atmosphere - it's about providing the best sailing course for those athletes who have worked their entire lives for that moment - and may never get it again. "Sailing is going through a transition, they want more races closer to the shore because maybe that is the future of the sport commercially," said Ainslie, after his London 2012 selection was confirmed by the British Olympic Association in September. "But this is the Olympics and the pureness of sport should come first." Full story: http://tinyurl.com/OLY-121211 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PROTOCOL: The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is awaiting the report from the International Jury, of the Perth 2011 Worlds, in order to consider what further action, if any, to take in regard to the incident involving Ben Ainslie. The RYA will follow its established procedures for responding to Rule 69 reports, and has the authority to take such disciplinary action within its jurisdiction as it considers appropriate. -- Full report: http://tinyurl.com/RYA-121211 COMMENT: In regard to the Ben Ainslie incident at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championship, the media boat involved was hired by ISAF as the official host broadcaster to videotape the racing. Additionally, the Sailing Instructions changed RRS 62 (Redress) such that actions by media boats and helicopters were not grounds for requesting redress. I am going to assume that Ben knew he could not file for redress. While Ben's actions were clearly in error, it is asking a lot of a highly vested sailor to accept being hindered for broadcast purposes as part of ISAF's media objective. - Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt - Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt
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