Is Sir Keith a windvane?

Sir Keith Mills (GBR), seen here on Friday,
in a screen capture from zerogradinord.net,
the online sailing resource

Sir Keith Mills (GBR), chief of TeamOrigin, sole British entry in America's Cup 33, is an extraordinary individual.

Knighted in 2006 by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II for services to sport, Sir Keith's leadership includes management of the campaign that successfully delivered the 2012 Olympic Games to London. Our kudos to Sir Keith.

That's a huge accomplishment.

In a similar bullish vein, Sir Keith has steered TeamOrigin's campaign for AC33.

In September last year, Sir Keith was extraordinarily upbeat about the AC event. Here's how he was quoted in TeamOrigin's press release:

“ACM (America’s Cup Management) ran a fantastic event this Spring, not only from a sports and entertainment point of view but also by setting the standards on a number of non-sports aspects placing the America’s Cup firmly in the 21st century, in amongst the most important sporting competitions in the world today. Alinghi and ACM should be complimented on running an event in Valencia that has had a massively positive impact not only on the America’s Cup but the sport of sailing as a whole,” comments Sir Keith Mills.

“We do not believe that the new Protocol will have a negative impact on the future of the America’s Cup. To the contrary we believe it provides a platform for further growth and some real opportunities for those who decide to challenge,” continues Sir Keith.

TEAMORIGIN believes the Protocol is good for challengers, especially new teams because:

• Of the introduction of a new America’s Cup Class, a new 90 ft yacht, giving every challenger an equal opportunity to start the design process at the same time
  
  
• It prohibits two-boat testing which will reduce costs. New techniques will be developed to refine existing and new yachts, opening up a level playing field for new challengers
  
  
• It allows for regular official racing to be run in Valencia. Teams may race their opponents in practice whilst simultaneously running parallel hospitality and sponsor programmes.
  

Here's what we said at the time about Sir Keith's enthusiasm for the protocol: http://americascupview.blogspot.com/2007/09/britains-teamorigin-ploughs-in.html.

Now, extraordinarily, here's what Sir Keith is saying about the protocol today (thanks to zerogradinord.it):

"It's been a very constructive process. From the beginning it's been very constructive. We were not happy with the original protocol. But we have made significant changes over the last few months. I think the output that we've virtually finalized today is good for the Cup, good for challengers, and I think we're all looking forward to getting back in the water racing."

Goodness gracious, Sir Keith. 

Perhaps somebody has been passing around the wrong information about your thoughts and ideas. 

Nevertheless, here are your soundbites, then and now, about America's Cup:

In September last year:  We do not believe that the new Protocol will have a negative impact on the future of the America’s Cup. To the contrary we believe it provides a platform for further growth and some real opportunities for those who decide to challenge.

Today, after fronting for video interviewers as a booster of AC33:  We were not happy with the original protocol.

My dear Sir Keith.

We respect and admire your commitment to America's Cup.

But some may say, as they examine your comments then and now, that you have acceded entirely to Ernesto Bertrelli (SUI)'s demands. 

As a result, they may say, you are positioning TeamOrigin entirely within Ernesto's purview.

This is good for Ernesto, obviously.

But is this good for Britain?

Saying one thing, and then saying another, is this how Britain does business?