Bring what on? Follow what action?
Boy am I glad I didn’t go to Valencia…
The truth is, I was very seriously considering it. Why? Because at the end of the day it is still the America’s Cup, the most storied event in our sports long history, and I really wanted to be there. To some extent I also felt the need to stay “on the circuit,” in case this thing turns around in a hurry. That is my job. There is always the potential that not being there might be worse than the alternative. I looked at tickets, hotels, accreditation requirements–almost pulled the trigger too.
It would have been a week (at least) of my own money, spent watching nothing happen while sitting in on press conferences. It would have been another week of my money in changed flights, re-booked hotels, and lost income back home. I have heard there are photographers who can’t even get on the water, destined to sit at the media center all day (I was told that up to 15 photographers have access to the course).
I ultimately decided it best not to go; I simply could not afford it. The official photographers in Gilles Martin-Raget (BOR) and Carlo Borlenghi (Alinghi), two of the absolute best, make their photos available for free and they are of the highest quality. Everyone else is more or less freelance. So why go? Why spend all that money… To be a tourist? I just don’t know.
In reality this AC should be thankful it’s getting so much press. Most, including myself, are looking forward to its conclusion. I know who I want to win and it’s the prospect of a return to normalcy that gets me excited.
