VOR: Another grand event ruined in the name of diversity

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT to super sailor Brian Hancock and the piece he penned for yesterday's front page, I have a rather different view. What a grand delusion. I was hoping that the 2019-20 Volvo Ocean Race would be better and faster; instead they delivered a watered-down Vendeé Globe monohull and a not-so-Xtreme cat for the inshore races. I can accept, and enjoy, where the AC went. Let's face it - the AC50s are outrageous, insane and the sorcery is jaw dropping.

The new VOR will be none of that.

Spare me the platitudes. Even an Opti sailor gives the finger to a Hobie Wave and vice-versa. What makes Volvo think that 'cat people' would have even the slightest interest in what the monohulls are doing, and vice versa.

In my little world, I own, race and sail both types. When I registered to race my Nacra for just one season, all my monohull friends were quick to call me a traitor, a heretic and worse. As expected! Clearly, no one at Volvo have hung out lately with the real people (you know, us simpletons who buy cars and things advertised on the side of boats)! Get ready for the abuse. In the meantime, I will see what the French are up to.

Another great event ruined in the name of diversity.

[We have received strong sentiments on both sides of this issue, as articulated yesterday by Brian and today by Victor. Join the debate in the VOR section of the SI Forum. –TFE]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Victor Felice (fah LEE chay) was born and raised in Malta and now makes his home in Arizona where he has been an active member of the Arizona Yacht Club for a five years. He recently finished up his term as AYC Vice Commodore. An avid racer and promoter, he is the proprietor of the sailing school and sailboat service Tillers & Kites and known for his fleet of beautifully-maintained pink ("don't call them lavender or fuchsia") boats.