AzT, I think that the "money" has ruined the America's Cup racing. I preferred the days of Dennis Conner and the 12 meter mono-hulls (oh, that Aussie winged-keel boat!). During the hey-day of those boats and those races, I had a sailboat (well, my family did). It was hull number 4883, a cedar plank Lightning (a 19 foot one design planing hull centerboard sloop). I crewed for a boyfriend on his Blue Jay during that time, too. We actually won some heats in a few Eastern Long Island regattas! That was fun! Do I miss sailing? Nope. I don't know why, either.