It's Good Enough for Little League

by Ken Signorello

e've heard of the decline of sailboat racing participation. There are all sorts of theories. People don't have enough time, too hard to get crew, and can't afford to be competitive. Yeah, it takes a few bucks to keep a sailboat competitive. And those spending the bucks more often than not are doing well.

How can a less than wealthy racer keep his boat competitive? Get a sponsor! That is what is happening more and more, frequently at bigger regatta's. In exchange for the sponsorship a company or organization gets to display it's logo on the boat or crew it is sponsoring. Advertising! By default advertising on sailboats while racing is very restricted according to the Racing Rules of Sailing. Small sail maker, and boat builder marks are about it. The next lever of advertising allows for fairly liberal display of logos. Can this help or hurt?

The arguments against: "the sponsor will take over the event". Certainly a sponsor will want to make sure an event that it sponsors represents them well. A sponsored team may also feel some pressure to do well. These aren't bad influences. These are goals that race committees and competitors should be striving for anyway. Besides, no one is forced to accept sponsorship. Just like you don't have to spend money on your boat.

The other major argument against: "I don't want to compete for sponsorship". Let's face it those that can afford it will spend to keep their boats competitive without a sponsor. Advertising gives the rest of us a chance to raise a few extra bucks to help improve our performance, or just buy a matching set of T-shirts for the crew.

What about other sports? Auto racing - heavy advertising and on TV. Golf - most events named after sponsor - Major events covered by media. Tennis - like golf. Even power boat racing - more difficult to spectate then sail racing and it gets more media coverage and yes, they have advertising.

There is a difference between many of these events and our week day "beer can racing". They usually require a qualification, or invitation, or working through a series of championship ladders. Sailing has few restricted events. We compete in a sport where anyone can go up against the best in the world along with a hundred others ranging from pros to amateurs with family crews. So what other sports at a local level has advertising - Little League, and most league softball teams.

So let's open things up a little. Give those without the spare bucks a chance to collect a few extra dollars to help keep their boats competitive. Maybe with a little company sponsorship, and advertising the media will take notice. Maybe we'll see more that one picture a year in the Free Press, and the only place to get local sail racing news won't be just Harbor Watch! I believe that all organization hosted events should allow category B advertising. Teams that don't like the idea can always say no. Sponsorship is not required - just an option.