Italy Is Gaining On Us? Inconceivable!

One thing we know about yacht racing: When you change your dock-out song and still lose, it was not meant to be. For the first time in 24 years, there will be no U.S. team in the Louis Vuitton Cup final. Luna Rossa of Italy beat the Americans to clinch the best-of-nine semifinals, 5-1. Yes, we have been defeated by the Italians on the open seas. Our dream of capturing the America's Cup trophy is over. Please, stop crying; your co-workers are beginning to stare.

The Italians routinely outsailed the Americans despite the nearly $270 million that owner Larry Ellison poured into BMW Oracle Racing to bring the Auld Mug back to the U.S. for the first time since it was lost in 1995. "It certainly wasn't the outcome we planned for or expected," said Ellison, who was aboard the USA-98 yacht. "Luna Rossa raised their game and deserve a lot of credit. I am very proud that our team went out and fought right down to the last jibe. We never gave up."

Of course our position on the America's Cup has always been clear: We refuse to watch until they let the boats shoot at each other; with no winner declared until one crew boards the other ship and takes everyone prisoner.

U.S. Eliminated In America's Cup Bid [LA Times] America's Cup Official Site