In other international sporting news, The Americas Cup is coming home. The most recognized trophy in sailing is so named because the United States won the inaugural event aboard the Schooner America in 1851. USA, the trimaran built by Larry Ellison, owned by BMW Oracle Racing and representing San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, won the 33rd Cup with a clean sweep of the Swiss team, Allinghi. Ellison's team is either an amazing representation of the melting pot that is America...or an overpaid group of mercenaries. Indeed, the team features only two Americans...and 9 Kiwis (including skipper Russel Couts, who won the last Americas Cup behind the helm of Allinghi), 5 Italians, 2 Australians, 2 Dutch, and a Canadian, Antiguan and Frenchie.
In this author's opinion, the spectacle that this competition has become has caused it to stray far from its roots. It is hardly a competition of nations, but now an arms race fueled by ridiculous corporate profits that is settled as much in the courtrooms as on the race course. At least the boats are sweet and the next race will be in home waters, but I'd like to see the next edition feature monohulls and teams comprised of sailors representing the flag under which each boat races.
Wow, that mercenary stat is astounding. How can you have national Pride if the team is nearly all Kiwis? I bet Peterman was the only person overjoyed with the result. Soccer does the same thing with dudes from other countries coaching national teams (see England). I don't get it.
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