Everyone knows this already right? Streaming on YouTube begins on the 17th...Enjoy, TG
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I wonder why they didn't make any HD available? I would love to watch this on the big screen. Probably not going to bother with it otherwise.
720 HD is available, just select it..TG
It is now - but it wasn't yesterday.
HD takes longer to process, the same thing happens when you upload a video yourself.
who in the heck wants to see Jake in HD? I think I threw up in my mouth a little...
wha?
OK guys, back on topic, sheesh.
Anyone else wonder why they don't find commentators that have actually raced Cats before? Ol' Gary what's his name is a total doofus.
TG
wha?
I thought he wrote
when you upload a video OF yourself
... I guess i need glasses
ETNZ and Luna Rossa crash
TG, No one else has the experience and background in the AC that Gary has. No one else is involved in the production of sailing TV coverage over decades like Gary has been. They tried a number of other commentators, including Mitch Booth, and it turns out that each one had their pros and cons. I suspect that it is one of those things that seems to be easier than it actually is. Gary tries to make sailing understandable and appreciated even to non-sailors and that makes it more difficult for experienced racers to watch (actually listen) but it is pretty necessary to make the TV production commercially viable. You can always turn the volume down and try commenting on it yourself with a recorder and see how you do. Maybe it could lead to a job offer.... or better appreciation for Gary's efforts.
Was that not Ken Read on Friday? Surely, the more the merrier. The pro surfers are rallying to the new commentary wave of global streaming. Like the photographer, years ago, that sold photos for 2k a Sailing World cover. Now I understand the going price is $600 or so.
The respect shown for past world champion surfers, as broadcasters, keeps them in the game and exposes more people to surfing. Soon, as more pro sailors take to the stage, I am sure Mr. J will be happy.
Those of you grumbling about his commentary should be thankful he is there as a magnet for sailors like Ken Read. Put Gary on the water for color and bring in more sailors to build the sport - of sailing commentary. There's money in dim dar hills, brahs.
I have not seen today's racing yet, but now I will watch and listen more closely as we close the gap on the surfing media.
Thank you Mike for beginning what I wanted to say.
Hey guys, no intention to offend and open discussion is good, just do not care for Gary's broadcasting style is all. Yesterday was much better (for me) with the other commentator (Ken?) and GJ on the water with supplemental coverage.
Important thing is, the races are getting world-wide attention plus, we can actually watch each day's events.
Enjoy, TG
H17Racer, you have begun a discussion on a valuable component - sailing and streaming. Check out the pro surfing event in Brazil that begins May 8 and add that in with current media (cable and satellite - TV sports broadcasting http://wctbrasil.com/rio13 for comparison with sailing commentary. For a background check go to www.aspworldtour.com.
Surfing is way ahead of sailing in this business of sports broadcasting and overall production. They are now presenting live surfing events around the world, and one reason they are able to accomplish that is by employing past surfing greats as commentators. Sailing is now on the threshold thanks to GJ.
The last America's Cup featured Gary working with Randy Smyth. I know that from watching a couple matches from the bar at St. Petersburg Yacht Club after the RComm cancelled racing for that day. I do not believe Randy ever left his house for that one. I can confirm that when I see him next week.
One of the prerequisites for these jobs is, of course, your own resume. If you don't have Olympic and/or AC racing experience (and preferably at least one win), don't even think about getting anywhere near this club, even if you're Bob Costas.
Ken did a great job (I am biased), and one of the highlights from the past two days was a close rounding at the weather mark in a match race.
The lead boat came in from stbd, the trailing boat from port, into the left mark overlapped (port inside was ROW). The stbd boat just made the cross, rounding the left mark and pulled away downwind. GJ said: I'm surprised he didn't tack for the right mark and force the other boat to make an extra tack. Kenny simply replied: Pretty sure he would have been rolled if he tried that...
Need more announcers like Kenny, experienced with fast boats here guys...
Mike
Gary was great on monohull coverage but he still doesn't get the multi program. The reason he is there at all is that he was involved in the coverage deals and has
tenure
,so to speak.He's really bad at this format, misspeaking words, getting directions backwards , calling parts and sails the wrong names. That does not make a good commentator. Mitch was the best so far. I wish they'd bring back the dual coverage w/ the dummy version and the experienced sailor version.If rthey had to go with one only, they should have chosen the experienced version, which would make people learn what they are talking about, just like every other sport (except Nascar).
Never the less, The two races today were exciting and worth watching and Gary is OK. He's kind of like an NFL announcer who comes in and makes comments about your team that piss you off.
It has been worse. Thankfully I don't have to hear the phrase
pulsating action
anymore.
Just turn the sound down and do your own commentary. I'm sure we all do that anyway. <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />
I appreciate Gary and his background - but there is just something about his commentary that lacks excitement...and it's not just that. He lacks some basic understanding of the multihull aspect of this sport. Even as a color man (or...especially) you need to have a particular insight to what is taking place - why the sailors are doing what they are doing. What are they thinking when they split tacks and how they are weighing the cost of a tack vs. what lies ahead. I don't need to hear ONE MORE comment about the difference between monohulls and multihulls because that is not what is on the screen. If you can't keep the sailors that do this kind of racing entertained, lord help you with the masses.
Maybe the production on San Francisco Bay will feature a larger number of commentators. I would love to hear Stan Honey's story of how they manage the graphic overlays. I can think of a few other "guests' which would continue the drama day by day.
Gary has been an anchor for our sport's growth and has played a giant role with media production, but jeeze, guys, how long is he to remain the modern spokesperson for high performance sailing?
Who will be the commentators for the Red Bull Youth Cup and the US National Multihull Championship? That is a concern I have. How about John Williams, Jeremy Leonard, and Randy Smyth, just to name a few.
Today's fleet race, first downwind leg, what the heck was that yacht doing parked right below the windward mark, on the course, in everybody's way?
I've only gotten the first two days (Thurs / Fri) watched, but a couple of points so far:
First - Youtube is great. I like to be able to watch when I want and I don't have a DVR. No hiccups with the streaming, either. What I would like (maybe it's there, but I can't figure out how to do it) is change the audio feed from commentary to (for instance) on-boat mic. The other comment about two audio feeds (non-sailor vs. sailor) makes sense if it's not too technical.
Second - I think Gary's comments were best on match race #2 day 2 when the two boats were actually tacking quite a bit (which we all know is slow in multis, but when there are only two boats on the course, why not pin the boat as much as you can). He has plenty of match racing experience which did show a bit there.
I think he does have the chops for the
overview
side of the presentation: Course outline, weather patterns, general strategies (Match: dialup & placement, Fleet: boatspeed).
Ken did a good job of calling strategies, and it was funny to hear his comment about the protests - he picked a tough first day! And the one about
hearing the collision in three languages
when the italians hit the kiwis in the match race
Also, props for giving some coverage to the
back of the fleet
teams (HS Racing, China).. Sure, they're not top of the pack, but they've put crap-loads of money, time and effort to even get to this event. Sponsors should get some attention, even if they're in the back.
Good snippets on skipper and crews tossed in there. I didn't know who Slingsby was until that (maybe put in some video of his prior sailing?) and the Swedish youth guy...
On day 2, I'd like to hear Ainsley's comments during that rounding when he was squeezed between two boats (probably traded some gelcoat there)
They probably could put in some snippets about the VX40 series and the Red Bull Youth challenge to promote the ladder and get more folks aware of the path to AC teams...?
I know what you mean, TG. I have been listening to Gary for decades (literally) and I have much respect for him but that does not make it any easier to listen to him at times. He has several verbal ticks that are the equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard (for example he says FUStrate which FRUStrates me). I agree with some others that putting him out on the water to add to the commentary of Ken Read was a big improvement. There is a lot riding on this AC coverage and these regattas have been vital to develop the technology, methods, and personnel (just like on the sailing side). I think we will never be perfectly happy but it definitely keeps getting better. I will be in San Francisco for in-person viewing in August and I already am concerned that the YouTube/TV version may be better!
Todd Harris dropped a loud
Mother F*cker
on the live feed yesterday morning 😛
Actually he said
Father Mucker!
after he got tongue-tied.
I'm sure he was simply greeting a priest who had joined them in the booth. <img src="<>/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin" height="15" width="15" />
Is there a replay of Day 4 (Sunday)? I can't seem to find it
Match race Slingsby & Luna Rossa
Double point fleet race
I didn't see a full replay listed, but the long highlights video was pretty thorough.
Mike
I guess that will do, although I liked the full replay because there is often stuff that's not
highlight worthy
that I consider important (like the left side paying upwind)
I had it bookmarked below but it now comes back as private..TG
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