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Tell us what's on your mind
Here is your chance to talk about anything that is on your mind about sailing -- from rating the America's Cup syndicates to questions for our presenters.
This is a selection of the latest comments. It is not the first time that land-locked countries have been successful in sailing. Just look at the Olympics and world championships. We here welcome the Auld Mug to our neighbors. Good to see that the LVC & AC are on the move. Alexander Zedtwitz, Austria Alinghi deserves the win and all that goes with it. The Kiwis are sore losers. They are not a typical syndicate but are sponsored by their government. TAB, Lotto, and their government TV station are the major funding, not a bunch of businessmen from a yacht club securing funds for the race. Granted the Kiwi's are great sailors, but for a team to put together a team without an ocean of their own, deserves a BIG WELL DONE! Sean Bonner, U.S. The Swiss did nothing. They might have signed the checks, but that was the extent of their involvement. So far, only New Zealand has beaten New Zealand. Don Adams, U.S.
After following all the America's Cup races closely with sheer enjoyment, I have come to three conclusions: 1. The America's Cup should be competed based on national identity. All the biggest and most successful sports events are based on countries being represented, such as the Olympics, Davis Cup, World Cup, etc. 2. An independent body, similar to that of the International Olympic Committee, should be established for the governing and well-being of the event. This would lead to more consistency and better accountability. 3. Budgets for teams should be capped to give smaller nations with less money the possibility of participating in the challengers' event. This would further promote the sport since the audience base could be broadened considerably. Andrew Yuen, Hong Kong Let me see -- $55 million to buy a boat and crew to win this year. I guess double that for boat and crew to defend in four years. And since they (the Swiss) don't have their own ocean they'll have to buy one of those too. Ed Crandall, U.S. Ernesto Bertarelli deserves the America's Cup for excellent teamwork and for staying and fighting on board with his crew. With the San Francisco Yacht Club as Challenger of Record, I believe the future AC will improve rules and develop considerably more class. There can be no excuse for the defending country to publicly insult several syndicates in a row. Britta Moeser, Germany I have followed America's Cup racing from the time I was a child. This is the first year it got all the way to the finals before I even knew the event was being held. Now, I know I'm a bit out of touch these days but an event like this happening with very little coverage (especially in the early rounds) in America strikes me as odd. Chuck Karmes, U.S. Well done to Alinghi. After taking it to a land-locked country they have most probably turned the hosting of it into a bidding event like the Olympics! If you can't defend it don't go for it, simple as that. Now the event will be littered with corruption and posturing to host the event somewhere in Europe and a sport relatively free of corruption will be dragged through the mud in Europe. Hamish Neal, Australia I am not a sore loser. Team New Zealand was beaten by a better team. But as a New Zealander, nothing can make me feel better about the fact that we were beaten by a team that had seven New Zealanders in it. Much is been made of the Swiss achievement, but it has nothing to do with Switzerland. If Switzerland were truly strong in yachting they would have 16 of their countrymen on that boat, not three. Frank, New Zealand Alinghi couldn't have done it without some of us kiwis. Barry, New Zealand First I'd like to comment that this web link is terrific and is testament to objectivity, which seems to be missing in news today -- not to mention the absence of Cup coverage in general. Regarding national affiliation, I think the spirit is best when racers are native. The Cup seems to uphold a higher standard of amateur racing -- something each nation should remember when supporting its team members; otherwise what's to keep a global company from entering several boats under multiple national interests. What a boring race to see Oracle U.S. race against Oracle China. Steve Haislet, U.S. No team in sports nowadays only consists of the country they are competing for -- look at football. Team New Zealand and the Kiwis on a whole are trying to excuse their absolute disaster by blaming the Alinghi team members. Didn't we hear before the race about the hula and other inventions Team New Zealand had - the Kiwis had won the Americas Cup before it was even sailed. It's a classic example of being too over-confident, underestimating the opponent, and last but not least being very poor losers! Andre D. Sterchi, Switzerland I was very disappointed to fly all the way to New Zealand last weekend for there to be no racing, particularly when there was plenty of wind. They say the wind was "unsteady" but a time chart only showed it oscillating. I always thought timing wind oscillations was part of yacht racing. It would be nice to see the America's Cup rules changed so that racing starts at the predetermined time on the predetermined day and can only be cancelled if the yachts do not finish the course on time. I hope Alinghi wins and I hope they change the rules. Howard Knight, Singapore The disadvantage for us sailors in Europe would be that our harbors will be even more overcrowded if Alinghi takes the cup back to Europe. So, better leave it to the Kiwis! Juergen Schoenherr, Germany
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