That wasn’t the goal.
The goal was to hold the cup and then they can make nationality requirements, which New Zealand had already indicated they would require if they won.
And you could make the same argument about them. Their boat was largely financed by the UAE.
This story is a tale of two comebacks however.
Golden Gate Yacht Club and the most incredible win in the history of sports.
You can google the back story of the first to get the incredibl tale, which ties in so nicely with this win, that it too will be discussed as a part of the history of this phenomenal race.
This race has become the province of very rich people who assemble international teams to win a cup that has lost its meaning. The New Zealand team may have received funding from the UAE, but its sailing crew was almost exclusively from New Zealand. Barker, the skipper, was from New Zealand. So was Ray Davies the tactician.
So Ellison with his all-star international crew and two yachts that were constructed so they could run against one another beat a team from New Zealand. It was the world against New Zealand and New Zealand almost won. It was a hollow victory for me and not worth the celebration. This was not Team USA anymore than it was Team UAE.