As sailing becomes more competitive and the technology that literally drives the boats also becomes more competitive the amount of money required to compete rises. Some one design campaigns require new sails almost every season. Sailing has always been an expensive sport to excel in but to compete in these high octane classes is brutal on your pocketbook. Many sailors turn to, or attempt to turn to, sponsors.

There are so many different angles and attitudes that companies take to sponsoring that it would be pointless to discuss them. Some simply want the publicity. Some just want their name on the boat and some want a full out financial backing. But all the sponsors are giving two things; their money and their brand.

Recently, a VOR boat had to drop out midrace because it could not find a main sponsor to continue it's race. How sad is that? A professional team can't even find a sponsor in what is arguabely the best marketed and well done crewed ocean race ever. Sure you can blame the world-wide economy but that isn't the entire answer. Gathering sponsors before and after this recession aren't as easy as some believe.

The problem with getting companies to financially back a team is that there is little recognition for them. With sailing events never on TV and boats rarely seen by more than hundereds they aren't willing to pour in the millions that they do to large sport interests. Until sailing finds a way to increase its viewership and publicity, sponsors will still be reluctant to give the dough. But don't let this fool you. Sailors are always trying to find ways to increase the publicity and viewership of the sport, and a lot of it is working. While on the other side, there are tons of companies that continue to sponsor or donate to sailing teams.

Imagine you are starting up a Mini campaign with your ultimate goal being to compete in the Mini Transat. You have some doublehanded racing experience on your own boat but have never taken in sponsors. What companies would you approach first for funding? Some sailors in this position have contacts in the business. They might know a shop owner or corporate executive that would consider sponsoring them based on a personal/professional background. Then where would you go after that? Many companies continue to sponsor sailing events around the country regardless of class or regatta. Rolex, Mount Gay Rum, Harken, Gill, etc. all come to mind. And they are going to ask you what in the world do you have to offer them that no one else has. Who has an answer for that?

One of the largest corporate backings that I can think of is Oracle. Then again, Larry Ellison owns the company. Do you think they would have backed the AC syndicate if Larry wasn't involved? I don't think so.

The sport has to increase on two fronts for the sponsorship to increase, viewership and publicity. Fourtunately they go hand in hand. Regattas and classes are always looking for ways to increase their media and public "popularity". Sometimes weekend regattas will get a 30 second spot on the nightly or 6AM news. Is this what the sponsor wants to pay for? Perhaps 500 people show up to the regatta. How many views does a billboard get?

Have you seen the BMW commericals that featured their AC racing boat? I'm not sure if they were ever aired in the US but they were online and perhaps aired in some markets. Sailing is always revered as a respectable, teamwork oriented, beautiful sport. So why don't more companies sponsor it and use the footage and pictures for their own promotional advertising? It's just not cost-effective for them.

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