ESPN
Classic Examines 25 Years Of Storied Sailing History:
Gary Jobson Hosts And Produces Special Program
Twenty-five years ago, most sailing
yachts were built of fiberglass or aluminum, Ted
Turner was at the top of the sport of sailing,
and a fledgling cable television network named
ESPN was just beginning. A quarter century later
ESPN Classic will premiere 25 Years of Sailing,
presented by Rolex on May 19 at 9 p.m. ET. The
one-hour program celebrates 25 years of history
in the sport of sailing and ESPN's coverage of
it. Gary Jobson, the face of sailing on ESPN since
1986 and himself a member of the 1977 America's
Cup-winning team, produced the program and serves
as host.
25
Years of Sailing will examine how the sport of
sailing has seen dramatic technological advances,
a host of larger-than-life personalities, historic
races and shifts in power. The America's Cup has
seen the likes of Ted Turner, Dennis Connor and
others; America, Australia, New Zealand, and most
recently, Switzerland have traded power over 25
years -- each having periods of dominance; sailing
boats are faster as new materials such as carbon
fiber propel craft to unprecedented speeds. 25
Years of Sailing will look at these and other
developments in the sport, while looking back
at races and historic moments such as:
The
powerful frontal system over the Irish Sea during
the 1979 Fastnet Race, preventing all but 87 of
the 303 boats involved from finishing, and tragically
taking
15 lives;
1983
America's Cup Race 7, when Australia II defeated
Liberty;
The
San Diego Yacht Club's successful defense of the
cup in 1992 and its loss to New Zealand in 1995;
The
victory in 2003 by Switzerland's Alinghi, piloted
by the same core crew that led New Zealand to
victory in 2000.
More
progress has been made in the last 25 years in
the development of sailing than the previous 200,"
said Jobson. "Is it the sailor, the equipment,
or both? This look back on 25 year's of sailing
history will try and answer that big question."
In
addition, the program will examine other aspects
in the past 25 years of sailing, including:
Around-the-world
racing;
Sailing records;
The disasters that have affected competitive sailing;
Grand Prix racing
Polar sailing
25
Years of Sailing, presented by Rolex will be re-aired
at 9 p.m. PT.
