"International Fame and Fortune"

So this is why we do it? Lifestyles of the rich and famous?

According to an article in Malaysia's The Star this morning entitled "Sailing Into Wealth," Alinghi's Cup-winning crew "live incredible lifestyles and enjoy celebrity status wherever they go. They have been immortalised forever on Swiss Post stamps."

Despite being a bit over the top, it's a very nice article about the Monsoon Cup, next week's World Match Racing Tour event in Malaysia. It will feature, as did October's Allianz Cup in San Francisco, a number of competitors representing current AC teams including Paolo Cian (Shosholoza), Sebastien Col (AREVA), Peter Holmberg (Alinghi) and James Spithill (Luna Rossa).

Why Malaysia? As the article explains, "Malaysians tend to forget that this country has a rich maritime history – Malay sailors in the 15th and 16th century were already navigating the surrounding seas and had a reputation as seamen and skillful boat builders." Remember, too, that Malaysia hosts one of the seven non-European F1 Grands Prix.

Senior Malaysian officials have long expressed interest in the America's Cup. The Monsoon Cup, now in its second year, and related developments are worth keeping an eye on.

So stay tuned -- and that will be easy as one hears there will be a larger worldwide TV audience for this year's Monsoon Cup than any of the AC 32 Acts have so far garnered, including a live internet feed on Sail.tv.

Below, Monsoon Cup promoter Peter Gilmour (AUS) giving the thumbs up during the inaugural event in the waters off Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia in 2005. A Cup campaigner since the early 80's, Gilly won his own event last year and will be racing in the Monsoon Cup again next week. Photo: Victor K.K. Ng/The Star.


Peter Gilmour reports that there is strong interest in Malaysia to
challenge for AC 33.