At Least Get Some Use Out of It

Has there ever been as delayed a sporting event as the 33rd America’s Cup? We don’t think so.

First there was all the legal wrangling and the excruciating number of court battles.

Then racing was called off on Day One for lack of wind.

Yesterday was a mandatory lay day — even though the boats hadn’t raced.

Today, a 4 to 6-ft swell kept the boats at their compounds despite the presence of 16 knots of wind.

Tomorrow will be another mandatory lay day.

But based on this photo, at least some people are getting a little use out of the zillion dollar BMW Oracle trimaran USA. The couple are Caribbean legend D. Randy West and Joanne, his love interest. How could the two get past the heavy security and onto the boat? We suspect our old friend just walked right up to security with a big smile on his face and said, "It’s me, D. Randy!" That usually gets him through.

Meanwhile, Ron Young, our man on the ground in Valencia, is feeling frustrated with the lack of racing:

"The cancellation of the first two races of AC33 is embarrassing for the Cup.  Since AC33 is a Deed of Gift match, organizers shouldn’t bend to the pressure of anyone — including team owners worried about breaking their boats — while conducting the competition.

"America and subsequent challengers sailed across the Atlantic to race for the Cup. All elements of the America’s Cup, including its image, media attention, world-wide audiences and local organizers would be better off if race days were actually race days — rain or shine, light winds or heavy, shifty or steady, short of a full gale."

The main thing is that this thing gets going soon. Race one has been rescheduled for Friday, so cross your fingers and hope for the best. You can find the latest updates through Ron’s tweets at: www.twitter.com/Lat38AC33.