By JULIE ASH
Strong winds prevented Jacques Rogge from sailing with Alinghi yesterday, but the president of the International Olympic Committee offered plenty of suggestions on improving the America's Cup - one of which was increasing the wind limits.
Rogge was to be 17th man on Russell Coutts' Alinghi in their
match against Oracle in the semifinals of the challenger series, but racing was postponed because of the wind.
Rogge, who represented Belgium in the Finn class in the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics, is in New Zealand meeting the national Olympic committee.
He understands that the challengers want to race in conditions similar to those they will face in February.
"But it is a pity to see that these splendid boats cannot sail in 25 knots of breeze.
"Other than no wind, I think there should be no excuse, and the range should be to 35 knots.
"I remember sailing a Finn off Takapuna in 1980, and definitely for one-design boats, the location is not an issue because you race from one knot to 29 knots.
"The problem here is the boats are in a configuration for the February final."
Asked about the format of the America's Cup, Rogge suggested that an independent body was needed.
"Today we are in an situation where the defender tries to acquire as many rights as possible and where the challengers try to team up against the defender.
"I think you need an independent body that will decide the format, on the dates, on the boats, and they will also have a department that will arbitrate or judge.
"Not to know today when the next America's Cup will be or where it will be is something you would not see in other sports organisations because their calendars are set for a long time.
"For the sports itself it may not be that important, but for sponsorship and TV audiences, and for spreading the popularity of yachting to the world, it is vital to know where you are going to go and when.
"The other thing I believe would be welcome is to find a system where races are not postponed or abandoned in what is considered to be a medium breeze.
"The choice of location should be such that you don't have that. This is stopping the quality of the media coverage.
"I believe the America's Cup is onthe verge on reaching the top leagueof major events, but I think thesechanges are probably needed."
With the big-budget campaigns (Alinghi, Oracle, OneWorld and Prada) dominating the event, Rogge said the idea of a salary cap or spending cap to level out the playing field probably was not an option.
"The America's Cup today is mostly driven by very wealthy individuals. Of course there is sponsorship, but the total budget is only covered maybe by 40 or 50 per cent by sponsorship.
"As long as these individuals come along there is no problem. The day they aren't interested any more, the recruitment of new challengers and defenders may be a problem.
"If there is a spending or salary cap, it is very unlikely you are going to attract these wealthy individuals, who add something to the saga of the sport.
"Whether we like it or not, the America's Cup is not a sports competition like any other.
"There is a special flavour to the cup, partly because of the dramas, intrigue and the fact these extremely wealthy individuals take part.
"A good compromise could be found - stability of the class for instance. If some way was found that by a good choice of the location the actual boats would not be outdated, that would make a big difference.
"I am not saying we would have to come to the same place, but for a syndicate tobe obliged to start from scratch andnot be able to use the same boats is a costly issue."
Rogge was reluctant to say who he thought would win the cup.
"The quality of the boats is quite even because the teams are quite even.
"Knowledge of the course is not an advantage any more for the defenders because of the length of training and so on.
"I think the ones who have something else they can show at the end, and it has been tested, will have an edge.
"But does this exist? I don't know."
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
Strong winds prevented Jacques Rogge from sailing with Alinghi yesterday, but the president of the International Olympic Committee offered plenty of suggestions on improving the America's Cup - one of which was increasing the wind limits.
Rogge was to be 17th man on Russell Coutts' Alinghi in their
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