Why?

It's official: The two leading actors in the stage play called the America's Cup have official gone insane.

One has build a gigantic catamaran to compete in a traditionally mono-hulled race.

The other has built a gigantic trimaran.

Is this a race of just a gigantic embarrassment?

Let's look at the pros and cons:

1. Larry Ellison finally gets a chance to compete (albeit on an un-level playing field).
2. Ernesto Bertarelli finally gets a chance to one and for all get rid of this millstone handing around his neck: The last-place team in the previous regatta but the team with the largest group of lawyers to obfuscate the core issues (two boats, race in similar boats, produce a winner who takes the spoils; meanwhile, all boats keep advertisers happy and everyone employed.

Best case: Larry wins, the Cup returns to the United States.
Best case: Ernesto wins, the Cup remains where it is and continues as a European icon, devoid of much of any involvement by the United States.

Ditto for the worst case. Winning becomes losing and vice verse. There will be plenty of blame to go around, from the boats' design to lack of full advertising support.

Meanwhile, boat designs are definitely pushing the envelope on these future boats. Hopefully, some of their innovations will continue to "trickle down" into all of our boats, but not their personalities or sailing style.