Navigating the Rising Tide: Challenges and Opportunities in Sailing

In a recent article by Craig Leweck of Scuttlebutt Sailing News, the looming threat of sea level rise to the city of Newport, RI was highlighted. The call for collaboration among agencies to find solutions was made, but the question remains – how do you justify spending money on fixing something that is hard to see when there are always more pressing issues at hand?

Leweck drew a parallel to a personal experience where his house was not properly tied to its foundation, leaving it vulnerable to potential damage in the event of a California earthquake. Despite the lack of visible damage and the significant cost of repairs, he made the decision to invest in securing the foundation. He fears that it may take the loss of some mansions into the water for Newport to take action on the threat of rising sea levels.

While recognizing and addressing problems can be challenging, Leweck remains hopeful about the response within the sailing community. He emphasizes the importance of making decisions that will prevent the metaphorical house from “rattling off the foundation.”

Leweck also praises events like the Worrell 1000, Race to Alaska, and the Clipper Race for offering unique and memorable experiences that go beyond traditional windward-leeward racing. As the America’s Cup approaches, he looks forward to seeing the new AC75 boats in action and speculates on their performance in the turbulent waters of Barcelona, Spain.

However, Leweck also raises concerns about the environmental impact of spectator boats at sailing events, citing a study that found they can harm the environment. He questions the necessity of watching races in person when broadcast coverage offers a more environmentally friendly alternative. Will Greenpeace protest the event, as they did at the 2002 America’s Cup? Only time will tell.