Final Report from Olympics PRO, Charley Cook:
Copyright Eastern Yacht Club 2012. For use of EYC members. Not for publication.
FINAL REPORT
The 2012 Olympics have come to a close. My boat’s in a container headed to Boston. The team containers are gone (some will stay for the Paralympics). Work has already begun for 2016.
Resources and Trivia
The resources available to the race management team were mind boggling. Consider that this was a regatta for “only” 270 boats (plus or minus a few). In its heyday, Marblehead Race Week had more competing boats.
Here are some examples of the “toys” and resources available to us:
2 – TV helicopters
45 – Media boats (TV, photo and written press)
65 – Police boats and jet skis (doesn’t include Royal Marines gun boats)
30 – Marshal and patrol boats
25 – Jury, umpire and measurement boats
65 – Race management boats
5 – VIP and “Olympic Family” boats (actually, 54 foot yachts)
65 – Race management boats
240 – Accredited coach boats
170 – Boundary marks
70 – Racing marks
250 – Private channel digital radios
35 – Unique private channels
850 - Signal flags used by the race managment team
300 – On the water volunteers (plus 65 international officials)
2000 – Shore-side volunteers (doesn’t include Royal Marines)
Sailing Has Become a Spectator Sport
This is the first Olympic regatta at which a spectator area has been created, with paid ticketing. LOCOG provided a fabulous area at the Nothe Fort, complete with huge TV screen, commentator, games and distractions for the kids and a great view of sailing on the Nothe Course Area. It was sold out for every scheduled race day. Tickets were 50 pounds (approximately $75 US).
From the water it appeared as though the spectators had a great job. We could hear lots of cheering (even over the noise of the helicopters) and saw an occasional wave.
Tough Act to Follow
The organizers of the 2016 Olympic Regatta have a really tough act to follow. The Brits did an incredible job recruiting and training volunteers. All were extremely professional and friendly. Whether their assignment was media boat driver, litter picker, dolly mover, information desk attendant, greeter, safety boat driver, marshal boat driver, parking attendant, shuttle driver, office worker or race management, every volunteer was always cheerful, helpful and happy to be part of the show.
The British race management teams that worked with us spent 3 years in a thorough training and selection process. Rio will have to work very hard to achieve the same standard.
There were media reports at the start of the Olympics about problems (failure of the security company, potentially long lines at Heathrow, threatened strikes by transport and immigration workers and bus drivers getting lost). Even the media, which thrives on reporting bad news, changed its tune as the Games progressed. The Brits have every reason to be proud. As the IOC President said, this was the best summer games ever. It’s certainly true this time. (Here’s an insider tidbit: In recent memory the IOC President has said this at the conclusion of every summer Games except Atlanta in 1996).
Synchronized Mark Boat Performances
As each of the 6 race management teams headed to the Nothe spectator course area for their final races Medal Races for fleet racing, Petite-Finals and Finals for match racing), the teams performed some sort of stunt to show off for the spectators waiting to see the racing. Each team tried to outdo the other.
I heard that the 470 race management team had been secretly practicing some detailed maneuvers in preparation for their day in the spotlight. The OBS (live TV feed) crew agreed to launch a chopper and film their performance. Some footage was used as filler during the regular broadcast. The crowd loved the show, complete with Olympic rings, a star burst and a display of flares. Perhaps this will be a new Olympic sport in 2020.
Special Moments
Every Olympic regatta provides special memories. Here are a few of my favorites from 2012:
Tender Moment.
Going into the 470 Men’s Medal Race, either the Brits or the Aussies could have won Gold. The Aussies prevailed. Between that race and the 470 Women’s Race scheduled to start next, the German women’s crew jumped aboard the Aussie boat. She’s married to the Matt Belcher, the Aussie skipper. It was really touching to see husband and wife, competing for two different countries, celebrate a Gold Medal performance. They were not the only husband and wife pair competing for different countries:
-The USA Star skipper, Mark Mendleblatt, is married to the POR windsurfer. (She withdrew unexpectedly at the start of the regatta).
- The Aussie 470 women’s crew, Belinda Stowell, is married to Arthur Brett, the GBR Radial coach.
Funny Moment – Ambush Marketing
Earlier this year, ISAF Council (of which I’m a member) voted to eliminate windsurfing in favor of kiteboarding for the 2016 Olympics. The RS:X class (the equipment used for windsurfing at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics) is understandably unhappy.
Every day during the Olympic regatta there has been a good number of kiteboarders sailing in the open (unsecure) waters adjacent to the venue. During the Medal Ceremony for the Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing events, the kiteboarders were out in force. The open water where they sailed was just behind the podium, flag poles and Olympic rings. Every video and photo that I have seen of the Windsurfing Medal Ceremony has some kiteboarding in the back ground. Do you suppose this is just a coincidence?
New Countries
Cyprus won its first ever Olympic medal – in any sport. It won a Silver Medal in Men’s Windsurfing.
Egypt had entries in the Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing events. I’ve been told that this is the first time Egypt has ever sent a team to the Olympic sailing regatta.
Copyright Eastern Yacht Club 2012. For use of EYC members. Not for publication.
