(April 9, 2010) Scuttlebutt received a letter from Howard Bentley, who was commenting on the changes needed to heighten interest in the next America's Cup. Said Howard, "If you look at the success of other sports, the focus is on the athlete and not the technology. I believe sailing needs to start to promote its athletes and personalities above the technology.
"There are so many rich personalities that when combined with the confines of a boat provide for some spectacular and often lively commentary ... Billionaire toys are sure cool and worthy of a focus but people like people and personality sells. The technology is cool but the sport is called sailing, a verb, because it's the participants that make the sport."
The TP52 Quantum Racing team produced this week's video, and it provides a good example of Howard's commentary. Much like they do at the beginning of each segment of a reality TV show, they introduce us to the characters, and provide us reasons to get to know them better. The QR team is prepping for the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit in the Med, and are using video to create interest in their team, and hopefully, their product too.
