So the premise is what, that nobody should host any sailing events?
Quite obviously the local boosters of these various venues would not agree to whatever the arrangements are, unless they agree those arrangements. It takes two to party.
Let's say in the extreme that ACEA are a bunch of liars screwing people screwing the locals, then again: So what??
First, let me start by saying I am generally pro-Larry, pro-GGYC, pro-Oracle Racing. I say generally, because there are things that they could be doing better, or at least differently, with a bit more class and grace.
To answer your question: So what? So this: Every time ACEA says something that does not happen as they said it would, it further hurts their credibility. Worse, it hurts the credibility of the sport, both in the short and long run.
You seem hell bent on trying to prove that ACEA has had nothing to do with statements made by event promoters. And it is probably true that the locals are going to over-promote things a bit, which is their nature, if not their job.
I do think the ACWS does attract alot of attention for the host cities. That is all very good for the city. Portsmouth for sure got one hell of a deal. They were put in the map in a way they probably could not afford.
Another thing you should consider is that the people making decisions with sponsors money, ie the VP of marketing or some such title, has to justify the companies participation as a sponsor with a team or the event to his boss, if not even shareholders. ACEA has made numerous announcements about things that have just not happened, or been shades of grey somehow. Moreover, alot of people do not read every single letter of every single word in every single announcement like you seem to do, and then retain an instant memory of everything that was said and when it was said, as you seem so able to do. Most people deal in the headlines only.
Now comes the Naples announcement. On the surface when it was announced many said "oh Naples, twice, cool". Now, we aren't so sure about Naples. A press conference gets postponed. Why even have any announcement until something is rock solid. Why allow the creation of uncertainty to exist? If your job was to find and buy solid promotional opportunities for your employer, why would you risk your job buying into a sponsorship deal that had so many unknowns and inconsistencies? Sponsors typically like certainty. The ACWS circuit for 2011 is not even fully known today. How is that certain? How is that a low risk buy for a sponsor?
The point is this, AC 34 is going to be a great show, perhaps even spectacular. Larry Ellison can afford to wait it all out. He looks as if he has rank amateurs running things for him, saying things that are just not true, or even being tangentially associated with half-truths or untruths. Aren't you in some aspect of the computer business? Is the type of behavior that we see from ACEA the same sort of thing we see from Oracle Corp now? Maybe 20 years ago Larry had to talk a big story, but today, not hardly. So why is ACEA doing and saying things that do not match their patron's current actions and standards?
I just wish the best for Larry, for GGYC, for the Cup and the sport. That's the "so what" that you ask about. I happen to think it is a big "so what" if the sport is hurt because the guys running the biggest show in the game can't run it to the highest possible standard of professionalism.
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