In This Corner: Couldn’t Have Said It Better

Let’s listen to a statement this past month by Captain Salvatore Sarno, in distant South Africa, regarding his Team ShoSholoza’s early entry into the America’s Cup 33 match. They were the second Challenger, right after the official Challenger of Record (Spain). This becomes the second time he’ll be going after the famed Ol’ Mug. They placed 7th.

Why early entry: “…We need time to explore the South African Corporate Company Market to get another Main Sponsor and additional Supporters.” (P.S.: If we can host the World Cup Soccer in 2010, why not an America’s Cup entry?)

And corporate sponsors don’t want to sponsor something they haven’t seen (the implication: They want to see a BOAT!).

Why in person: It didn’t hurt, of course, that Captain Sarno happened to be in Geneva, he says, and decided to drop off the application paperwork in person right then….. But that’s another story!

Legal Challenges: Regarding the NEW PROTOCOL for America’s Cup 33, he notes that the Larry Ellison/BMW/ORACLE/Golden Gate Yacht Club’s legal challenges to the Cup appears to make no sense.

Challenger envy: “I have participated in the America’s Cup knowing full well that it is the Defender [implication: Alinghi] that dictates the rules AND IN MY OPINION, ALL THE CHALLENGERS WANT TO WIN THE CUP AND THEN DICTATE THEIR OWN RULES. This is what I will do.” (caps added)

Specifically, he claims:

The new rules will help significantly a small team. And, he says, there is plenty of time to “conceive, design, build and test the new boat.”
He appreciates the ban on two-boat building and testing, which greatly could expands cost. A boat: A hole in the water into which you dump money. Another boat; another hole, but maybe not enough money.
He disagrees strongly with the negative comments and rumors that have been circulating about unfairness, etc., regarding the next Cup event. This will be a great, competitive Cup event.
Refreshingly, he believes all winning should be on the water, in fast boats, rather that in the “New York High Court Room.”
Very candidly, he believes the legal activities generated by GGYC are damaging his search for sponsors and his plans to work with a new design team.

Translation: Let’s get out of court and get on with the race preparations (And, we really need a sponsor - - is anyone in South Africa listening?). Don’t diamonds come from down there? De Beers—are you listening! You’d be in good company with the other sponsors in previous match-ups.