| Sure, I wish we Yanks held the cup, bit of national pride that. I think the competition format and loss of national identity are what I lament. It is no longer country against country it is now consortium against consortium. Examples, USA boat with German sponsor, Swiss boat with American skipper, etc.
There are many yacht races where you match the best boat money can buy against the best crew you can assemble regardless of where technology is developed, vessel is constructed, or national origin of the crew. The Americas cup had a little something special. Boats used to have names like Intrepid or Reliant, now they are floating billboards; damned fast and expensive billboards I grant you, but floating advertisements none the less.
I welcome the Chinese (I’m sure they were hoping I would) but will it be a Chinese at the helm? Not initially. They do have a lot of pride and will undoubtedly develop great racing talents as they have done in so many other endeavors.
George
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She took my address and my name
Put my credit to shame
Sunspot Baby, sure had a real good time
Bob Seger |