AMERICA'S ? CUP

The America's Cup Races just concluded with a stirring 9-8 victory for the American team versus the Kiwis. What made it even more dramatic was the fact that the Oracle team bankrolled by billionaire Larry Ellison came from way behind, won eight races in a row to pull it off, especially after being docked a two-race penalty at the beginning.

But an American victory? Yes, the bankroll was American and one member of the crew. The tactician was the five-time Gold Medal Olympian, Brit Ben Ainslie; the skipper was Jimmy Spithill, an Aussie; the rest of the crew included four Aussies, two Kiwis and, beside the lone Yank, an Italian, a Brit, a Dutchman and an Antiguan. I'm sure Larry Ellison had several Americans in the creation of the boat, but the composition of the team was decidedly international.

The whole international competition---never noted for frugality---has turned into a money sweepstakes, and the millions poured into the candidate boats this year is astronomical. The biggest spender of all, Larry Ellison, won out. In today's monied world where so many championships are bought, the word "amateur" is obsolete,replaced by billionaire sports enthusiasts buying success. But we love a winner, at any cost. Maybe we should change the name from America's Cup to International Money Cup.