“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

The Academy Award winning movie Network, the 1976 American satirical film about a fictional television network, may be best known when its frustrated news anchor persuaded his viewers to shout out of their windows “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

Active Finn sailor Henry Sprague, who won the Finn Gold Cup in 1974, is now encouraging his fellow sailors to offer a similar scream.

“I will not be sailing my beloved Finn dinghy in both the 2013 Finn Pacific Coast Championship (June 29-30) and the 2013 Finn U.S. National Championship (July 12-14) as a protest to the entry fees of $175 and $285 respective, what I consider unacceptable price gouging for two days and then three days of dinghy sailing,” explained Sprague.

“I further ask the rest of the class, to boycott both these events, if the entry fee is not lowered to $65 and $125 respectfully.” The later was the cost at the 2012 U.S. Nationals at the Sail Sheboygan sailing center in Sheboygan, WI. The cost of the 2012 PCCs was $25 at Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

“I recall the very first two day Finn event to have an entry fee was in 1963, which included Lowell North and Dennis Conner as entries, and we were surprised when Alamitos Bay YC charged a $5 entry fee. Up to that time, yacht clubs were organized to run and support the growth of sailboat racing.

“Slowly, with the help of the eastern established US Sailing, the rules and sport have changed until many might believe today, sailboat racing is a profit generator for yacht clubs.”

Both events are hosted by Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club in San Pedro, CA. “I feel this has gone too far … we must STOP these price increases and send a clear message to US Sailing member yacht clubs.”

Howard Beale would be so proud.

Class website – PCC NOR – US Nationals NOR