The location rumors are ugly. There's a lot of talk about the event being hosted outside the US. I think, however, those rumors are a ploy to help San Fran with some momentum push to get through the environmental legislation issues they have run into with the restoration of some of the waterfront.

I didn't think the cats were to have an engine. The previous engine rumors I heard were related to the proposed monohull with a canting keel....but I could be wrong. I would be pissed to see engines back in the game.

Look at the C-class event...it's drama, the mistakes....even Ashby/Spithill are making mistakes. It's made the Little America's Cup an outstanding success thus far. You want excitement? Make sailing the AC cats a physical event (NO engines!) and put just enough crew on it to sail it making boat handling difficult and challenging.