I know a lot of you have been watching with interest what has been going on in NZ with AC36. We can tell by the bags under the eyes, those who have endured the late nights, staying up to watch the racing live. It was so sad to see the horrible crash and the damage to American Magic’s Patriot – all the work from all of the team members over so long, just gone in an instant. There is no point in re-hashing the ‘what ifs’ of what is always not just one decision, but a series of linked misfortunates or errors, so I’m certainly not going to attempt that here. The talking heads are paid to do all that stuff.

 

What I want to explore is what I’m hearing from Auckland about what is happening now. Yes, I do have an inside track! What I hear is that without the assistance of ETNZ there is no way that Patriot would be sailing again this coming weekend. The Kiwis have stepped up and are supplying materials, labour and anything else that the American challenger might require. This is in stark contrast to what happened here at AC35 when ETNZ did their dramatic capsize in the Challenger series. In that instance, when a couple of Oracle boatbuilders went to the Kiwi shed late that night to help with the repairs, they were fired when the team bosses found out about it.

 

Apparently, what the New Zealanders are doing now to help one of the challengers get back on the water is causing all sorts of reflection amongst the Americans. If the shoe were on the other foot, would it be the same? We will never know, but we think it is a wonderful example of sportsmanship and we hope that those who are on those teams and witnessing it will carry that memory with them, not just for the rest of their sporting career but for the rest of their lives.

 

So, should we be learning something from this? We are all about sailing. So is RBYC, so is BODA. Would we not be more successful in getting bodies in boats more often if we could put aside petty jealousies between clubs, personality conflicts between individuals, and just all aim for the greater good? I’m sorry if that sounds like a lofty ambition, but in a world that has just been turned upside down, I think we all owe it to ourselves and each other to think hard about why we do things, is there a better way and do we care enough about the big picture? Food for thought.

 

Similarly, in our own RHADC community. Let’s not disparage one another; let’s not criticise the folks volunteering their time to make our Club a better place just because in some rare instances your views don’t coincide 100% with theirs. Let’s all pull together for the common ideal. After all, even with the vaccine roll out, as 2021 unfolds it looks as if travel is going to be almost as difficult as it was last year, so we are all going to be stuck here for another year making the best of it. Let’s really make the best of it.

 

On that note, the Nominating Committee is busy working on the slate of Club officers and committee members for this year. If you think you might be willing to come aboard and help, please do make yourself known. Email me @ elspethweisberg@rhadc.bm or Wendy Augustus at secretary@rhadc.bm and we will make sure that the NC receives your expression of interest. Thank you! I look forward to serving with you. 

 

Commodore

January 27, 2021