Unlike other sports - such as track, where an 800-meter event is run over a measured course - yacht racing involves a number of variables.

That meant Alinghi sailed less distance faster, yacht racing's ultimate goal.

Corporate sponsorship has become a desirable addition to most sports, and yacht racing is no exception.

"It shows the public that yacht racing involves a little more excitement than watching grass grow."

"Most of yacht racing is study, work and development," Mr. Mosbacher said.

Traditional yacht racing relies on protest hearings after the race to decide infractions.

Most sailboat and yacht racing is done in coastal or inland waters.

The usual rule of thumb in yacht racing is that the longer the waterline on a boat, the faster it will be.

Sport - as a contest decided on merit - ended up taking second billing, and yacht racing gave itself a black eye.

But as far as yacht racing goes, there was wind - about 14-19 knots of it - and that's what sailors usually like.