People say no to things they fear

It wasn't the Prince and his Chamberlains who, apparently, have said NO to Sailing Anarchy Yacht Club (SAYC)'s entry to America's Cup 33.

According to SAYC, the NO came from an Underling. Poor sod.

Frankly, you'd expect a NO.

But in marketing (which is what an AC entry is, not sailing), you have to understand that NO is meaningless. 

Well, it's not actually meaningless. In this case, it's a prayer for breathing room. 

As in: "You took us by surprise. We're confused. We don't know what to make of this. It's too hard to for us to discuss this or even decide before Christmas. Everyone is gone. Personally, we don't have the authority to do anything, except call Commodore Meyer (SUI) to ask for advice. So we did. And the answer is NO."

NO actually means, we don't like the idea of your challenge.

NO means, we talked on the phone to people in the Alpine nation, and they told us to say NO.

NO means, you were drunk. Stop this. Put an end to it. NO way.

NO means, um, er, you didn't set the type in Times New Roman and set your margins at 1.25". Sorry, NO.

NO means, hey, guys, great idea. We love you guys. Next time, let's do it right. Nice try. Hey, we want you back.

NO means, you are Americans, essentially, supported by a rabid global band of contrarian thinkers, including New Zealanders. Therefore, it's just quite possible that you could pull off the funding thing, find some designers who know what they are doing -- and who don't like us -- and you could actually find people in your community who know how to drive, steer and sail a Version 5 boat, and we know, for Pete's sake, there's a bunch of those boats out there that could be made very competitive for our three regattas next year, and frankly, if you guys chafed butt, namely ours, then that would be very embarassing for us. So, NO.

So, NO doesn't mean NO. 

It means go away.

In response to this discourteous rejection, some observers say that the Commodore, Officers and Members of SAYC should carefully consider their options.

That includes rethinking the paperwork. Getting serious about grassroots fundraising. Finding the AC moguls of yesteryear and putting a torch to their tinderwood. Refiling the entry in Valencia. Finding a sober tone for all communications to the House of Alinghi (SUI) and its captives. And above all, pressing the issue. Hard. And drawing on every human asset on our small, blue sailing planet to support an honorable, incorrigible and worthy initiative.

Once that's done, expect a YES. 

But also expect another NO -- especially from someone with the real power to say NO -- and who is prepared to say NO very publicly and very officially -- and then explain the reasons why.

SAYC may be surprised to learn how few of these people there are. Maybe two.

Meanwhile, move forward, aggressively, on every front.

That's a very sound course.

At least, that's what the whitebait are saying.