Comments on: GGYC Would Not Bring Cup Home to USA.

By: peter Rusch

peter Rusch — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:35:26 +0000

“Team principals seem incapable of showing leadership, content to destroy all the brand equity built by a widely acknowledged successful AC32. It’s not over yet which is dissapointing for all concerned.”

Truer words have rarely been spoken.

By: peter Rusch

peter Rusch — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:35:26 +0000

Truer words have rarely been spoken.

By: David Fuller

David Fuller — Fri, 22 May 2009 10:31:18 +0000

The suggestion that the audience for the America's Cup changes depending on the venue only goes so far. Last year, the largest televised sporting events were all olympic occasions including the volleyball final between China and Cuba. You might as well hold the 34th America's Cup in Quingdao if all you want is high television numbers.

By: alpinefolk

alpinefolk — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:58:54 +0000

Suprised by BMW ORACLE suggestion that they would hold the AC34 in Valencia, (should they win). While this would be unpopular with US fans, the fact interest in the AC has been faggin in the US for the last few events, while steadily increasing in europe (especially if the number of team entries is anything to go by).
If Emirates Team NZ had won the last cup, they would have brought the cup back down under, but I believe it should stay in Europe where it has the greatest audience. (as much as I'd like to see it back in NZ).

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:18:04 +0000

I don't get it. Tom Ehman says that the LV style races would be held in San-Francisco, but the actual cup races would be in Valencia. Surely this adds more cost than if you just held the lot in San Francisco.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:05:34 +0000

Funny. I get a BMW ad when I look at this page. I suggest a boycott – stop buying BMW's and buy a Volvo instead. Support a company that supports sailing rather than drags it though the courts. If Larry and Ernesto have no shame, perhaps the brand managers at BMW do.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:59:27 +0000

Why doesn't BMW ORACLE fly a Spanish flag on USA? seems the King of Spain and the Mayor of Valencia are more important to them than their US Fans. What am I saying – Coutts has shown he will swap his nationality for whoever pays him the most.

By: James Mitchell

James Mitchell — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:55:18 +0000

Good point about mediation versus Arbitration. ISAF has no jurisdiction here and so unlike cricket where the ICB can ban players or stop teams touring countries with oppresive regimes, there is no way to break the deadlock.

At the end of the day, the America's cup is sport. Sport that is worth big bucks, but ultimately sport. If these people were in any other sport, they would have been banned for bringing the sport into disrepute.

Ban them all, suspend all owners, sailors and officials associated with either SNG or GGYC and give the cup back to the New York Yacht Club. grab the AC33 boat rule, return to a protocol that everyone thought was 'pretty' fair and get on with it. Both these clubs have forfeitted the right to be a defender or challenger.