I first saw the notice in the paper in December.  This event sounded like something I’d really enjoy.   I booked my hotel room and cleared my calendar.

Then, I noted it was also Mother’s Day weekend, which meant there would be traffic galore getting up to Manhattan from the Nation’s Capital.  At least, I had five months of mental preparation for the ordeal.

However, my preparations were miniscule compared to those of Teams Oracle, Sweden, New Zealand, France, Japan, and England.  These teams had been designing and building their 54 foot catamaran sailboats, training teams, and effecting logistics to get these boats to New York [and then off to Chicago and Portsmouth (England) and Toulon (France)] for months- even years.

I know that the boats competing in the 35th America’s Cup (the actual race will be held at Bermuda’s Great Sound next June) only reach speeds of 30 or 35 mph, as they would ply the waters of the Hudson River.  Which is a heck of a lot slower than the speeds acquired by racing cars about oval tracks.   But, the actions of the sailing teams and captains- and the concert of action- along with the graceful billowing of the sails- have always garnered my attention.

These sailboats are lighter and faster than most of the previous entries for the America’s Cup.  Which is exactly why the races could finally be held on the Hudson, instead of  at Newport (Rhode Island), which has deeper waters to offer the boats.   But, the resplendent boats, comprised mostly of carbon fiber materials (and aluminum superstructures and hydrofoil rudders) for strength and weight considerations- were expected to put on a heck of a show.

And, there were to be other dramas.  Like the fact that Ben Ainslie who previously captained Team Oracle’s sailing machine to win the cup is now attempting to do the same for England- and Land Rover.  (Team Oracle is now skippered by an Australian, Jimmy Spithill.)  And, let us not forget that these teams are dropping some $ 100 to $ 150 million and amassing small corporations (about 120 engineers, builders, technicians, etc.) to garner the Auld Mug (as the America’s Cup trophy is known).

Top that off with the efforts of the sponsors- all of whom are expecting to make fortunes (maybe not directly)- by their association with this event.  And, while the races in New York are just the qualifying races for the competition, these six races over two days would be the first time in more than 9 decades that the races would grace the waters of the Hudson River.

But, despite these armies of teams, these mass expenditures, the logistics, the publicity, it’s not just an exercise of skill. Because Saturday’s races just never happened.  Mother Nature failed to deliver anything more than a wisp of a breeze.  So, for hours, the sailboats were paraded up and down the Hudson- being pulled by motorized boats.

So, the throngs (and, Brookfield Village along the Hudson was filled with crowds) enjoyed their libations and milled about.  But, only got to see one short race, hours late, when the winds finally reached 5 or 6 knots.

On Sunday, I moseyed on down to Battery Park, at the tip of Manhattan Island.  So, I could see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island- and enjoy the races (ok, as the sailboats turned about the southernmost buoys) with more “lebensraum” (less crowding).   Thankfully, the morning rain and overcast skies began dissipating around noon.  And, as I was walking, I noticed the flags atop the Manhattan buildings were taut- which meant the winds had to be at least 15 knots.  The racing would be grand!

But, the lesson for us businessfolk is clear.  We can plan.  We can ensure that each of our team members is well trained and perfectly alert.  But, there are always conditions beyond our control that we must address.   Which is why we need to develop contingencies- and be alert for the slightest change upon which we can pounce for success.

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