Trust me, I got the message.
How could I have turned my back on the three America's Cups sailed in San Diego (1988, '92, '95) and not list them among the 10 biggest sports events in the city's history?
Because in the definition of what we were talking about, I didn't think they were.
The America's Cups played out over time, like a Padres season or a Chargers season. Yes, they drew worldwide attention to San Diego and were a boost to the tourism economy. But in terms of firing up the general populace at any given time, I don't think the America's Cup did. The farther you moved away from Point Loma, the less you heard about San Diego's America's Cups.
The middle-of-the-night television ratings from Australia in 1987 were better locally than the ratings for the races off Point Loma. That makes sense, since Dennis Conner was on a mission in Australia to win back the America's Cup.
There was no such drama in San Diego's three defenses, which began with the controversial catamaran defense. Conner wasn't even a party to '92 America's Cup. The New Zealand steamroller of 1995 had flattened much of the anticipation even before Conner had to sail a borrowed boat in the anticlimactic finals.
Were the three America's Cups great events? Absolutely. Did they leave a lasting footprint on the memory of the average San Diego sports fan? I don't get that vibe.
Collegians honored
Three San Diego products have been named first-team All-Americans by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association.
Zachary Brown (Yale) and Adam Roberts (Boston College) were named to the Coed team and Blaire Herron (Georgetown) was named to the Women's team.
Megan Magill, a freshman from San Diego headed to the Naval Academy, was an honorable mention Women's team All-American, and Nick Martin (College of Charleston) was an honorable mention Coed team pick.
Roberts and Martin were skippers on the Point Loma High team that won back-to-back championships.
Roberts helped Boston College earn the distinction of being named the nation's best collegiate sailing team in 2008. The Eagles won the Team Racing title and finished second to first-time champion Georgetown in the featured Dinghy Championships. BC also won the women's title.
Point Loma, Coronado score
Point Loma finished second, Coronado fourth in the High School Intercollegiate Sailing Championships (Mallory Cup) contested at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Severn (Md.) High won the title.
The Pointers' “B” boat skippered by Nick Kaschak with Morgan Renoir as crew won its division, and the Islanders' boat of skipper Ryan Sullivan and crew Karisa Chapa and Hans Henken was second.
Point Loma's “A” boat of skipper Caleb Paine and crew Kevin Lambe and Reece Bernet was third in that division. Coronado's “A” boat of skipper Pike Harris and crew Cragan Smith and Brian Smith was sixth.
Point Loma also finished third in the Baker Cup, sailed at Wayzota, Minn.
Silver for SDRC
San Diego Rowing Club's men's lightweight fours with coxswain placed second in the Junior National Championships last weekend in Cincinnati.
The crew members were Greg Swain, Max Dieckmann, Joe Campbell and Joe Armstrong plus coxswain Ryan McLeod. Lake Union won in a photo finish.
SDRC's women's lightweight double of Carly Greer and Gayle Ketchie took third in the consolation final.
Two SDRC beginner crews took thirds in the recent regionals: the freshman four (Luke Dillard, Trent Stevens, John Papatheofanis, John Savage and cox John Read Jr.) and the novice four (Grant Buckley, Luke McFerran, Garrett Boccara, Ace Taylor-Brown and cox Julia Taylor-Brown).
Bill Center: (619) 293-1851; bill.center@uniontrib.com
