Ralph Lauren, LL Bean, Patagonia, Lands End, they've interested more people in sailing than Hank Hinckley ever did. They may not run out and buy sailboats but once the big advertisers get it in their heads, they'll buy stuff with the essence of sailing attached.

And they'll be more likely to vacation near sailing(travel brochures are full of sails), and maybe sail, they may chose a lifestyle to live near the ocean, dress like phoney sailors, all that stuff, some will even buy a boat(not many, but more than are sold on sailing by Hinckley, no doubt).

Ralph Lauren or Lands End could turn the AC into a bigger event(think of the photo ops on the rail...), but it will never be mainstream.

The only ones that don't seem to know that sailing, never was mainstream, isn't now, nor never will be maintstream, must be clueless people.

I've never watched an AC for more than a few minutes of footage, and I've sailed most of my life.