RULE CHANGE OVERDUE
Derek: I agree with your comments. Perhaps Team New Zealand's loss in this America's Cup (and they will lose)will cause sufficient concern so that those in command will see that there is a return to the spirit of the deed-of-gift providing for at least competition between nations. Unfortunately, Switzerland's eventual victory will be diminished by its Kiwi crew (together with citizens of other nations)and although New Zealand will argue it was really Kiwi v. Kiwi, that simply diminishes the entire spirit and intent of the Cup. I do not know if the original deed-of-gift called for the design and construction of the hull, together will sail construction and related equipment, to be restricted to competing nations. Perhaps it is unrealistic with today's expense of putting a syndicate together and obtaining the necessary funding. However, I certainly believe that for the Cup to retain any sembelence of its original intent, it will be necessary to at the very least to limit crew to citizens, or permanent residents, of the competing nations. I must admit that the 2nd race was match racing at its best, but I suspect the average viewer was more interested in the competition between teacher and pupil as opposed to the so-called race between Team New Zealand and "Switzerland". Anything less than crew members all from opposing countries and you end up with what we are experiencing in this competition. Perhaps someone can enlighten me, but I suspect we (i.e., U.S.A.), and in particular Dennis Connor and company, contributed in no small part to what the America's cup has been reduced to today; some great match racing but "full of sound and fury signifying nothing"! There may be one positive outcome in the eventual Switzerland win (and the fat lady is on stage); that being the United States may have a shot at getting the Cup back. That is, unless we end up racing the Kiwi's!
Best regards, Bruce C.
Derek: I agree with your comments. Perhaps Team New Zealand's loss in this America's Cup (and they will lose)will cause sufficient concern so that those in command will see that there is a return to the spirit of the deed-of-gift providing for at least competition between nations. Unfortunately, Switzerland's eventual victory will be diminished by its Kiwi crew (together with citizens of other nations)and although New Zealand will argue it was really Kiwi v. Kiwi, that simply diminishes the entire spirit and intent of the Cup. I do not know if the original deed-of-gift called for the design and construction of the hull, together will sail construction and related equipment, to be restricted to competing nations. Perhaps it is unrealistic with today's expense of putting a syndicate together and obtaining the necessary funding. However, I certainly believe that for the Cup to retain any sembelence of its original intent, it will be necessary to at the very least to limit crew to citizens, or permanent residents, of the competing nations. I must admit that the 2nd race was match racing at its best, but I suspect the average viewer was more interested in the competition between teacher and pupil as opposed to the so-called race between Team New Zealand and "Switzerland". Anything less than crew members all from opposing countries and you end up with what we are experiencing in this competition. Perhaps someone can enlighten me, but I suspect we (i.e., U.S.A.), and in particular Dennis Connor and company, contributed in no small part to what the America's cup has been reduced to today; some great match racing but "full of sound and fury signifying nothing"! There may be one positive outcome in the eventual Switzerland win (and the fat lady is on stage); that being the United States may have a shot at getting the Cup back. That is, unless we end up racing the Kiwi's!
Best regards, Bruce C.