America's Cup: San Fran locals backing Team NZ

It is not just Kiwis hoping Team New Zealand can wrest the America's Cup off Oracle.

It appears many San Franciscans want shot of the damn thing too.

A strongly worded piece in today's San Francisco Chronicle highlighted the depth of ill-feeling locals are starting to harbour against the "home" side.

"The Oracle racing team may have finally done the impossible - not win the America's Cup in a competition designed to attract a new generation of enthusiasts, but turn people off to sailboat racing," wrote C.W. Nevius.

It appears the cheating revelations during the AC45 World Series have been the final straw, with Nevius likening Oracle to Alex Rodriguez, the one-time baseball superstar whose legacy has been irreparably tarnished by PED use accusations.

"We've supported the races in the Bay Area," Nevius continued. "The city of San Francisco has poured money and facilities into the extravaganza, and we were promised a global showcase, an international event.

"Instead we got Alex Rodriguez - using illegal substances to gain an unfair advantage.
"Every time it seemed like there was hope that the Cup fanfare might be catching fire, Larry Ellison's Oracle syndicate has been there with a bucket of cold bay water to put it out."

The Chronicle describes the regatta as "one embarrassing screw-up after another", but Nevius saves his most pointed barb till last.

"But just think, if Oracle should win after all this, the race could be back in San Francisco next time.

"You know what they say about that in City Hall?

"Go New Zealand."