November 13, 2002

SAILING: The race to become the America's Cup challenger continues.: The quarterfinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup 2002 have begun in New Zealand. Eight teams from six countries (Switzerland, England, Sweden, France, Italy and the US) are vying for the challenger's spot in next year's America's Cup. The winner of the Louis Vuitton will do battle against the current holders, Team New Zealand.

The US has three teams in the races: Oracle BMW Racing (led by Oracle CEO billionaire Larry Ellison), OneWorld Challenge (led by telecom billionaire Craig McCaw), and Team Dennis Conner (led by two-time America's Cup winner Conner). Being a Bay Area resident, I'd like to see Ellison win. Not 'cause I like Ellison. But because winner gets to defend the Cup on their home waters.

posted by worldcup2002 to other at 01:20 PM - 3 comments

A brilliant post. Very informative. Thanks, worldcup2002.

posted by jacknose at 10:19 AM on November 14, 2002

Thanks, jacknose! I was beginning to think noone was interested in the post. btw, looks like Oracle BMW (Ellison's team) is well on its way to the semifinals. It's leading 2-0 in its best of 7 contest with OneWorld.

posted by worldcup2002 at 12:00 PM on November 14, 2002

Arrgh, mateys, you are not alone. I have been following the cup action also (I race sailboats on SF Bay whenever I have the chance). Oracle certainly has been hot recently...very impressive in beating OneWorld, which had previously been the better boat. Interesting scuttlebutt, though, to make note of regarding where the Cup may be sailed if Ellison wins the Cup with Oracle. He tried to bully the St. Francis Yacht Club (STFYC) into putting Team Oracle head honchos onto the STFYC board, so STFYC said sail for another club. The Golden Gate YC (GGYC) is letting Ellison do anything he wants since he gave them a much-needed infusion of cash. (Story from SF Chronicle) Rumors have it that part of Ellison's deal with GGYC is that he, not the club as tradition has it, would decide the where/when/how of the next Cup defense, if Oracle is succesful in NZ...and that Ellison would choose to race off of Long Beach, CA, rather than the windy SF Bay, because the current class of America's Cup boats would not survive in the Bay. Yes, I would LOVE to see the Cup raced for in the Bay...but it may not come to pass even if the hometown team brings the Auld Mug here.

posted by msacheson at 10:49 AM on November 17, 2002

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