Latest tech always the best choice?

The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in history. It started in 1851 and the 37th event just completed off the coast of Barcelona.?

The America’s Cup is more than just a race—it’s a blend of tradition, innovation, and fierce rivalry.

Ever since I can remember, the rivalry has been legendary. The rules are set by the team that currently holds the cup so you can imagine how things can get twisted and controversial. With the rules being updated for every event there is a drive to out-smart the other teams. This has created a huge innovation momentum with, for example, traditionally slow (compared to land racing) boats now getting over 100kph (60 mph).?

It is a feat of human ingenuity to have 7 tons of yacht supported on a single board around 8 cm (3 in) in the water. There is a foil on the rudder but that is even smaller.?

With so much change and innovation you can imagine this is an expensive exercise. Racing is spread over a couple of months and the teams are formed a few years prior but the budgets are now hitting 200 million USD.?

This requires wealthy backers who are obviously in this for the advertising potential (well mostly). Therefore the media are a big part of the process and with strong personalities, rivalry, constant breakages (they are working with Mother Nature) and now huge speeds, entertainment is now a huge part of the event.?

Why am I telling you this? Well it is somewhat interesting to see human beings pitted against each other (and the fickle weather). This can teach us a lot about ourselves.?

Let me highlight a few that I noticed.?

• Although the cup’s origin was the UK, they lost the first race and have not won an event since. They progressed well this year but you could see and hear the weight of 173 years on their shoulders. Many of us feel the pressure of our historical thinking, which ultimately just holds us back. Not necessarily from winning, but from enjoying the moment. In the last race the English were almost equal on every statistic. So after 173 years, this year they sailed amazing. I’m not sure they noticed that, maybe only in hindsight.??
• The Italians had a boat that was (probably unfairly for me to say) only just staying together. They really pushed the envelope and unfortunately lost the challenger cup because of this. However, you would not know this from the state of mind of the crew. They were completely in the moment. Calm, and obviously enjoying themselves. When a failure eventually happened they dealt with it the same way. The English might have had their head in the past and the Italians could have been thinking about what the future could hold, but they stayed in the moment and did amazingly well.?
• The commentators often commented on the Kiwis cool demeanor, excellent boat innovation and speed and very respectful team communication. They looked sleek and possibly because of these factors they won the America's Cup for the third time in a row. Once they crossed the finish line and were able to get out of their cockpits to congratulate each other I noticed most were in bare feet. They won the oldest, most innovative and advanced sailing event in bare feet! To me that says it’s not all about just spending lots or having the latest technology but recognising we have tremendous abilities built right into ourselves. Don’t hide these away physically or mentally and use them as often as you can, regardless of what everyone else is doing.?

I hope I didn’t bore you with sport and sailing commentary and if you got this far, thanks. You can take a look at the things you love and reflect on what it can tell you about yourself. The answers are always in front of us, we just need to notice.?

Enjoy,

Tim.