Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

More puzzling decision making from America's Cup organisers

by Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team on 31 Aug 2015
Gothenburg (SWE), 35th , Louis Vuitton Americas Cup World Series Gothenburg 2015, Race Day 2 ACEA /Gilles Martin-Raget
America's Cup World Series App. The first version of this paid app allowed downloaders to watch the coverage on their laptops and hence big screen TV's.

Four minutes before today's scheduled America's Cup World Series Round 2 coverage start in Gothenburg, we found that the App software had been actually been changed to prevent viewing on computers. Yes we know that the AC+ app had been advertised as mobile only, but now it has really been restricted to mobile devices.


As a result we watched the racing on a 5.5 inch phablet. By the second race we had got a tablet organised so we had better vision.

For the Bermuda coverage, we will set up another tablet which has a port for a mini HDMI cable (these are a rarity, but thankfully we have one) or our techs have suggested we will use emulator software or RDP software to port content across our office network from tablet to desktops and hence to big screens.

We shall overcome, but the point is why have the America's Cup organisers tried to restrict their paid coverage to mobile devices.

Can someone explain how this helps deliver value to America's Cup event sponsors, or the team sponsors or the audience?

Mind you, you won't hear any public criticism from any of the teams, any adverse comments from the team will under the enlightened rules of 2017 America's Cup cost them US$25,000 for the first offence, $100,000 for second offence and $250,000 for the third and subsequent offences.

So let's not ask them, we will ask our wider audience.

Please put you hand up if you think this is good business practice?

Someone? anyone? Ah one, thanks Russell!



Regardless today we report on the Gothenburg event and live in hope that by 2017, the penny drops that bigger audiences are better for the sport and the sponsors too and that the stupidity of restricted coverage is just that.


North Sails Loft 57 PodcastMaritimo S SeriesZhik 2024 December

Related Articles

Germany Deutsche Bank claim first SailGP event win
Race Day 2 of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank has entered the winners circle, claiming their first event victory at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in tricky, light conditions on the waters of Lake Geneva.
Posted today at 4:03 pm
SailGP: Germany score first Event win - Day 2
The German crew led by Erik Heil sailed consistently, on a day where inconsistency was punished. Perhaps it was not surprising that in a nation known for its horology, that the time-clock should have played such a dominant role for the Final day of SailGP Switzerland.
Posted today at 3:07 pm
2025 Dutch Water Week day 4
At the end of the city's main shopping street, spectators could watch the racing The penultimate day of the Dutch Water Week brought Olympic-class sailing and windsurfing right into the heart of Almere.
Posted today at 11:13 am
America's Cup: Controversial agreement signed
According to Italian media, the secret AC Partnership agreement has been signed by CoR/D* International sailing journalist, Fabio Pozo, writing for the Milan based newspaper La Stampa, reports that the secret America's Cup Partnership (ACP) agreement is expected to be signed next week.
Posted today at 10:46 am
Women's Match Racing Worlds in Chicago overall
History made: Match in Pink Team wins fifth consecutive title Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team from Le Havre in France have once again proven their dominance in the sport of match racing, capturing their fifth consecutive World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship title
Posted today at 9:22 am
Race to the Finish with Paprec Arkéa
Zhik is the official gear partner for The Ocean Race Europe The Ocean Race Europe has again proven why it is one of the most demanding tests in sailing. With Zhik as the official gear partner, the Paprec Arkéa crew faced the extremes of Europe's waters equipped for the challenge.
Posted today at 8:00 am
J/105 North American Championship overall
Randy's Hecht's Niuhi three-peats as champion In the finale of the J/105 North American Championship, Randy Hecht claimed victory for the third time, with crew Russ Silvestri, Ethan Doyle, Maggie Bacon, David Janinis and Stephen Marsh.
Posted today at 3:26 am
New trophy for 2025 Six Metre Worlds
Presented by HM King Juan Carlos of Spain The Opening Ceremony for the 2025 International Six Metre Open and Classic World Championships saw the 29 participating teams from nine nations gather on the waterside lawn of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.
Posted today at 3:08 am
David Porter, King of Sydney Harbour in the 1970s
During one of the greatest eras in the 134-year history of the 18ft Skiff class During a 10-year career in the 18s from 1970-71 to 1979-80, inclusive, Dave Porter won the 1975 World Championship, three Australian and five NSW (State) championships as well as numerous club championships.
Posted today at 12:51 am
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits.
Posted today at 12:35 am