Started on August 28, the famous “Formula 1 of the seas” race will end on October 21 in Barcelona. In almost general indifference.
“Sailing is an elitist sport”, breathes a Frenchman from Barcelona to explain the lack of enthusiasm aroused by the presence of the Formula 1 of the seas in the city’s port. An elitist sport and a race that is even more elitist, with teams with budgets of between 50 and 150 million euros, largely explain the small audience present for example this Wednesday, October 2, in front of the statue of Columbus .
MAXPPP – Q. GARCIA
Not very popular
Add to this teams scattered across the four corners of the port, and therefore difficult to access, and boats hidden in their hangars, out of sight. The general public just has to take the 1 p.m. boat ride which goes to the race venue (when it is not canceled due to weather conditions) or go to the quay where An imposing “race village” is set up, to see the competitors enter and exit as they finish competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup (232 million euros for organization). It is these dual regattas which will give a challenger to the defending champion, New Zealand. France, Switzerland, United States already eliminated, only the Italian Luna Rossa and the British Britania (with a good chance of winning) remain in the running until Monday October 7.
In this competition where there is no second, the winner will then face Team New Zealand. Will there be more spectators then? Will the Catalan press open its columns more to an event which is proving unpopular?
