The thought process was, we can teach professional, big-boat, match racing sailors how to sail cats, much easier than we can teach cat sailors to match race.
EDIT: I agree about the nationality rules. Jerome (Rome) Kirby is from Newport (and is either Ken Read's godson, or should be) and is the only American currently on the boat.
Don't forget, the rules had loopholes in the past, and you saw a lot of shady passport-changing leading up to each iteration.
