Despite Chris Dickson's declarations, most US papers are optimistic of San Francisco's chances to host the 33e Cup.

According to an article filed yersterday by the Associated Press, if BMW Oracle Racing can return the Cup to America for the first time since 1995, the next regatta likely would be sailed within shadow of Golden Gate Bridge.

Some yachting experts doubt a full America’s Cup regatta could be held within San Francisco Bay, but software mogul Larry Ellison doesn't seem to share this point of view.

"This is the greatest natural amphitheater for sailing, perhaps in the world," the article quoted software mogul Larry Ellison as saying during the recent Allianz Cup, a stop on the World Match Racing Tour.

This is an opinion that seems to be shared by by many, including Gavin Brady, a New Zealander who has resigned from the team in August 2005 and was replaced in the afterguard by the French Bertrand Pacé.

"A lot of people said, 'Oh, you couldn't race the America's Cup in San Francisco Bay”, said Gavin Brady. "I think this would be one of the coolest places to run the America's Cup."

On San Francisco Bay, "It's like going to a NASCAR race on a small track," Brady said. "There's no big straight. They can't get far enough away from each other, just bumping and crashing."

"Which side of Alcatraz is he going to go? Geez, he went on the other side of Alcatraz!' The whole thing would be an awesome spectacle. It really would change the face of the America's Cup."

Dreams are one thing. Then there's reality.

"First we have to win it," cautions Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp. "The Cup hasn't been in the United States for a long time. It's called the America's Cup. It would be nice to see it in America."