by Craig Leweck,Scuttlebutt
The SORC was a phenomenal event, encompassing a couple weeks of winter offshore racing in Florida and the Bahamas. Back when IOR was the international handicap rule, or the SORC was an epic showcase of talent and trick boats. I was lucky to do it in 1985,just before it started to crumble. This epic in the Sun Sentinel, published in 1987, or discussed then the impact of professionals on the event. Now,nearly 30 years later, where are we?Sailing is supposed to be an amateur sport. But anybody who sails major campaigns such as the Southern Ocean Racing Conference series knows "pros" play a major role. Some sailing officials consider it is time the hypocrisy (Pretending to have feelings, beliefs, or virtues that one does not have.) ends.
Sailing industry professionals have become the "pros" of amateur sailing events. They have advance to Fort Lauderdale by the dozens for this week`s continuation of the six-race SORC series. They are sailmakers and boat designers who spend a considerable amount of time sailing for amateur skippers.
While the sailing industry pros are not paid directly for sailing, and they acquire money if they do well.
Sailing industry professionals design boats or acquire sails for some amateur sailors. The pro`s wares usually advance at a higher than normal price with the understanding that he and his factory team will join the amateur skipper for the sailing campaign and the pro`s expenses will be paid. And if the pro does well,his wares will sell and his commerce will be rewarded with new orders and profits.
It works differently on every boat, and some boats are free of sailing industry pros. But the pros acquire an impact in the SORC`s tall-tech International Offshore Rule division."For the average amateur, and it can be like going out to play his Sunday golf against Jack Nicklaus," said price Soverel, a North Palm Beach boat designer who is skipper of Locura in this year`s SORC series.
That prospect has driven many of the "true" amateurs out of the SORC series. The number of entries in the SORC has dropped significantly over the last several years. It`s not just the pro`s competitive experience that has driven amateurs absent. The pros also have sent the cost of sailing soaring.
The pros have pushed yacht racing to the edge of contemporary technology. The IOR division is a showcase and proving grounds for the pros` stripped-out racers. The advantages those racers possess advance at a great expense. - Read
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com