WigerToods2010:Would it be too much to ask that competing nations are actually represented by a full crew compliment from their own country?
A great spectacle both from Shore & TV. The technology was incredible both in the design & performance of the boats and the visual software.
However, it ended up being a battle between a multi-billionaire with an open ended cheque book ( $100m + USD) with a boat full of sailing mercenaries (ironically a mix of Aussie & NZ nationals & one US national on board, Rome Kirby) verses a NZ national team whose finance came from their government who invested the equivalent of $28.6M USD in their campaign plus sponsorship.
It was interesting to see the lack of the bond between the US nationals on shore & the Oracle Team.
Shame that the personnel & Mayor of SF officiating at the prizegiving made asses of themselves with all their hoo hah-ing etc......
nickuk: It was ainslie that did it.....he sure knows the tactics of sailing!
he did contribute to a team......tactics is only one of many cogs in the wheel......as the old saying goes in the America's Cup.....'the faster boat always wins'
:-)