The America's Cup finals begin Saturday and the defending champion is already behind. That's because an international jury recently docked Oracle Team USA two points for cheating after placing weights in their boat to boost performance. So, Oracle is already down two races against the New Zealand team before either boat even sets sale.
This was just the latest glitch for the international competition that's been plagued by problems. KQED's Tara Siler previewed the race with Ann Killian, a sports columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle.
And here's the Associated Press rundown on five things to look for and think about as the Cup finals begin:
San Francisco: Tony Bennett sang about leaving his heart here, and skipper Jimmy Spithill and the boys from Oracle Team USA want to keep the America's Cup in the City by the Bay. While past America's Cups have been contested miles out at sea, this one will be sailed in one of the world's greatest natural amphitheaters, with a steady wind and sometimes tricky tide. Fans can watch from the shore or high-rise buildings. After starting parallel to the Golden Gate Bridge, the boats sail a short reach across the wind and then speed downwind past Alcatraz Island. The five-leg course ends just off Piers 27-29, home to America's Cup Park. TV shots will feature the Golden Gate and San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridges, the Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid.
Larry Ellison: The co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corp. is an avid sailor who's spent an estimated $500 million during the last 10 years in pursuing, winning and now defending the silver trophy. Then again, his estimated net worth of $43 billion makes him one of the world's wealthiest individuals. People either love or hate Ellison, and there's been plenty of grumbling that his grand vision for a regatta with a dozen or more challengers fizzled, in part because of the economy and the expensive, dangerous boats. Ellison hasn't been seen publically and has been kept away from the press, except for one network TV interview. His presence is still felt, though. Two of his super yachts (i.e., super big and super expensive), the 288-foot Musashi and the 184-foot Asahi are moored at America's Cup Park. Also on techie-billionaire row are Athena, owned by Jim Clark (Netscape, Silicon Graphics) and Senses, owned by Ellison's rival, Larry Page of Google. Senses — moored between Ellison's yachts — stands out because of the red helicopter on the helipad on the stern.