Hi Don,

Stick a fork in Barker, he's done... He finally did what he needed to do at the start today, and they still lost... ORACLE has simply realized the maximum potential of their boat, turns out it's faster, and they have been sailing exceptionally well in the bargain...

I've been pulling for the Kiwis all along, but am finally resigned to the likelihood that the Cup stays in San Francisco, and that's not at all a bad thing... These boats, and this racing, have definitely made a believer out of me, and i think if the AC is given another shot in SF Bay a few years from now, they'll have a great opportunity to really get it right... Perhaps going with a slightly smaller version of the 72, maybe something in the 55-60' range, but designed to be able to handle the prevailing conditions in the Bay... And, of course, figuring some way to try to contain the costs, and encourage more participation from more syndicates... Ellison's a smart guy, I think there's a good chance they could 'tweak' what they've got now into a formula that could really take the AC to the next level, and really into the mainstream...

This will have to rate as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Sport... Barring some breakdown or massive screwup, I just don't see any way ORACLE loses tomorrow... Only chance ETNZ would seem to have, is if the wind limit is exceeded tomorrow, and they postpone until Thursday when the breeze is forecast to go light again, catching a lucky break in the lighter, fluky stuff might be their only hope...

Hope someone in the Kiwi camp is already making arrangements to put Barker on suicide watch, you've got to feel absolutely gutted for the guy...

best regards,

Jon