They are making the same mistake with AC as they are with T20.
Old AC in the relatively slow monohulls was like watching test cricket, and the frantic tacking and sail changes as you round the mark were the burst of energy like someone hitting a six and taking a wicket in a Cricket Test used to be. It grew on you, and judging by the amount of non boat people right up to the early 2000's that would watch it, was very popular.
However, much like T20 cricket, AC is now just extreme commercialised fast food crap that I wouldn't give a rats backside if I never saw it again, ever.