I agree, outstanding interview. I've run an event for him, Halsey is a great guy.

RI needs the money, plain and simple. The economy is at least as bad as Michigan, there is very little industry anymore, unemployment is huge, and tourism is getting crushed by the overall US economy.

I know a few of the RI and NYYC players, and certainly haven't heard anyone say they "deserve" it, but they would like to host it for the prestige (aka money). The politicians say things like "tradition" to try to win the discussion.

So, let's talk about tradition. It remains to be seen what the terms and conditions of this match (and any potential defender series will be), but I asked a NYYC member and confirmed that, at least way back when NYYC was the defender, if a boat from a different US club won the defender series, she would sail in the finals for NYYC. In other words, if a boat from a YC from Texas won the defender series, she would sail in the finals, but if she won that, the cup would stay with NYYC.

So, other than for pride (which can be a strong carrot), US clubs have no real motivation for competing in the defender series. To get the cup away from a US host, it had to leave the country and be won back later by a different club.

Not sure if this was the same in San Diego, but I think I recall hearing that on the TV coverage at the time. There was a bunch of discussion, especially since Dennis narrowly won the defender series (or some of the races). Wasn't there also discussion about him using the other boat with his sails in the finals, or something to that effect?

Realistically, IMHO, the only way it will come to RI for this cycle is if SF completely blows it. There is no reason in the world for a YC in SF to want it to be held anywhere but in SF. After that, it's probably close to 50/50 for SD vs RI, but SD probably has the edge due to relative proximity (same coast at least).

Mike