Your reporter concluded that only someone with longtime America's Cup experience such as Ed du Moulin could comment on the surprising development whereby the NYYC campaign came to an abrupt end. She was delighted that he agreed to do so.

By Guest Columnist Ed du Moulin

Any time an America's Cup contender is eliminated it is traumatic - "The Agony of Defeat."

It has to be even worse when a leading contender fails to qualify for the semifinals.

The New York Yacht Club tried in 1987 to recapture the Cup and failed. Not until New Zealand captured the oldest sporting trophy would they have the chance to reclaim the Cup (held from 1851 until 1983). The NYYC's Young America campaign started early, accumulated the second largest war chest, conducted a sophisticated design program, built two new boats and was a Gary Jobson favorite to win.

What went wrong? In Round Robin II, after an auspicious start in Round Robin I, USA 53 bent in half and almost sank. USA 58 was rushed to take her place. The campaign's early momentum was broken.

On Dec. 13, when the NYYC's elimination became a certainty, John Marshall, their CEO, was quoted in the press: "The decision...to extend the design program and start the construction of the two boats about three months later than initially anticipated 'cost us' the opportunity to sail in Newport during the summer of 1999."

Now it is up to America One (Paul Cayard), America True (Dawn Riley) or Stars & Stripes (Dennis Conner) competing against Italy, France and Spain in the semifinals, beginning Jan. 2, to bring back the Cup from down under.

Usually, "Being home for Christmas" is wonderful. For the dedicated Young America team, it is a real downer.